The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his COPD/emphysema with asthma and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination, updated treatment records, and consideration of whether sarcoidosis is related to service-connected disability or clinically indistinguishable from symptoms related to his service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The decision requires further evaluation by a VA examiner to determine if the Veteran's sarcoidosis is related to his service-connected COPD/emphysema with asthma and sleep apnea, as well as to assess the severity of his overall respiratory disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/emphysema with asthma and sleep apnea, sarcoidosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2019
- Citation
- 19114696
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 19114696.
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 service connection for sarcoidosis as new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for major depressive disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and a gastrointestinal disability due to untimeliness of the VA Form 10182. The appeal for service connection for sarcoidosis was denied based on the lack of evidence supporting a current disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis as additional development is necessary.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to revision of prior rating decisions on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for further development.
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.