The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema, DJD of the right hip, and osteoporosis due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.,A new VA medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran’s bilateral DJD of the hips and osteoporosis are etiologically related to active service, specifically to his exposure to ionizing radiation.
The deciding factor: The October 2017 VA examiner's opinions were deemed inadequate due to lack of rationale for comparing alcohol abuse and smoking as risk factors.
- Claimed conditions
- emphysema, degenerative joint disease (DJD), right hip, degenerative joint disease (DJD), left hip, osteoporosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18133049
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18133049.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lung condition, including pneumonia residuals, COPD, and emphysema, is remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service. The appeal is reopened based on new evidence.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal seeking readjudication of the previously denied claim for PTSD and multiple other conditions is dismissed due to a procedural defect. The Veteran's authorized representative at the time the appeal was submitted did not have the authority to file the appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, emphysema, and prostate cancer as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, including COPD with emphysema (claimed as lung condition due to exposure of asbestos due to MOS), is remanded. The VA will provide an examination and obtain medical opinions regarding whether any diagnosed respiratory conditions are related to military service, particularly given the Veteran's in-service exposure to asbestos.
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