The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's pleural disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, specifically related to in-service asbestos exposure. The Veteran was exposed to asbestos during his service as an electrician and sanitary facility inspector.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not consider in-service asbestos exposure when providing opinions for both pleural disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder since it was not conceded at the time of the examination.
- Claimed conditions
- pleural disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20012583
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 20012583.
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 claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to VA DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a need for further evaluation regarding the relationship between any identified pulmonary/respiratory disability, including bronchial asthma, and active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted the appellant's petitions to readjudicate her claims for service connection for heart disabilities and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. However, both claims are remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, diagnosed as interstitial fibrosis, pleural disease, and asbestosis. The evidence supports that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining information about the qualifications of a VA examiner and completing a TERA memorandum. The claims for service connection are remanded.
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