The reduction in the rating from 10 percent to noncompensable for the service-connected bilateral calcified pleural plaques was not proper, and the 10 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral calcified pleurae plaques and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) are remanded.
The deciding factor: The reduction was not appropriate because the evidence showed that the Veteran's respiratory condition had improved, warranting additional development before effectuating the reduction.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral calcified pleural plaques
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19196959
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,350 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19196959.
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 has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the adequacy of the March 2024 VA examination and the need for clarification on why DLCO testing was not completed.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected asbestosis was not manifested by a forced vital capacity (FVC) of 80 percent or worse, nor a DLCO (SB) of 80 percent or worse. Therefore, the claim for an increase in disability rating is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to unclear post-service asbestos exposure history and a need for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's lung condition.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability rating for bilateral calcified pleural plaques, service connection for residuals of prostate cancer, and entitlement to a TDIU rating before the Board could make a decision.
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.