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
- Not verified here — check the original 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 indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19196959.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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