The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and clarification regarding the Veteran's respiratory symptoms, which he claims are related to exposure to burn pits during service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that further clarification is required to determine whether the Veteran has a current disability for which service connection may be granted, specifically regarding his reported exposures to burn pits during service.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disorder, cough, congestion, breathing problems
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2018
- Citation
- 18153848
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 18153848.
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.
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The Board has determined that the claims for service connection must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The Veteran's skin disorder, respiratory disorder, Crohn's disease, eye disorder, and migraines are all being reviewed again with new medical evaluations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the March 2025 VA medical opinion, which did not consider the Veteran's theory of entitlement regarding his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The claim for service connection for breathing problems is denied. The claim for service connection for OSA is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including COPD and emphysema, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that the evidence submitted tends to disprove a link between his current condition and active service.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a respiratory disorder is dismissed. Service connection for right hand palmar nodule and service connection for a right hand scar are granted, but the issue of service connection for a right hand disorder other than service-connected right hand palmar nodule is remanded.
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