The claim for service connection for a lung disability, claimed as fibrosing mediastinitis, was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, service connection remains denied because there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the Veteran's fibrosing mediastinitis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.
The deciding factor: The preexisting condition (fibrosing mediastinitis) was shown to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, as evidenced by medical opinions from a Veterans Health Administration pulmonologist who found no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation.
- Claimed conditions
- fibrosing mediastinitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18153417
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 18153417.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's respiratory conditions, specifically chronic bronchitis, interstitial lung disease (ILD) with bronchiectasis, restrictive lung disease, and fibrosing mediastinitis. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 60 percent for fibrosing mediastinitis, but no higher. The Veteran's son is now the appellant.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of superior vena cava syndrome, deep venous thrombosis, fibrosing mediastinitis, and hepatic steatosis must be remanded due to deficiencies in the previous VA opinions regarding their etiology. The AOJ is instructed to obtain addendum VA opinions addressing these issues.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the remaining issues.
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