The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for interstitial lung disease (asbestosis) with pleural plaques and service connection for a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea. The VA is instructed to obtain any relevant treatment records and arrange for examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient information on which to determine the extent of the Veteran's service-connected interstitial lung disease with pleural plaques, and that a new examination is needed. The Board also noted that the relationship between the Veteran's sleep disorder and his service-connected interstitial lung disease with pleural plaques needs further clarification.
- Claimed conditions
- Interstitial Lung Disease (Asbestosis), Sleep Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18156668
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 18156668.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea, due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, head injury, and arthritis to ensure that VA has met its duty to assist by obtaining outstanding treatment records and providing an adequate medical opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent. Other service connection claims were denied or remanded.
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