The Veteran seeks service connection for a lung disability, diagnosed as chronic fibrotic interstitial lung disease with autoimmune disorder. The VA examiner concluded that it is not at least as likely as not that the Veteran's condition was causally related to his exposure to water at Camp Lejeune. An addendum opinion is needed to address direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran's lung disability and his exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, but an additional examination is required to consider whether the condition arose in service or is otherwise related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic fibrotic interstitial lung disease with autoimmune disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2018
- Citation
- 1816973
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 1816973.
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: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as chronic fibrotic interstitial lung disease with autoimmune disorder, is likely to have arisen during his service at Camp Lejeune. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's lung disability is related to service, specifically his complaints of chest pain and possible reflux esophagitis.
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