The Veteran's pulmonary disease related to asbestos exposure is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating and remands for further development regarding his diabetes mellitus, type II.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of FVC or FEV-1/FVC meeting criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 6833 or 6602.
- Claimed conditions
- Pulmonary Disease (status post asbestos exposure with obstructive lung disease and asthma), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Diabetic Nephropathy, Erectile Dysfunction, Bilateral Eye Disorder (bilateral cataracts, right eyelid ptosis and diabetic retinopathy), Fatigue
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18147261
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18147261.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and a higher rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with muscle weakness, but granted an earlier effective date for the 60 percent disability rating for thrombosis, TIA or cerebral infarction with impairment of sphincter control and voiding dysfunction, and for service connection for pharynx and/or larynx and/or swallowing conditions residuals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and remanded the claim for service connection for fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome) due to insufficient evidence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with MDD, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected condition, and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, it denied SMC based on housebound status.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for insomnia, fatigue, gallstones, varicose veins, anemia, colitis, and PTSD due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.