The Veteran's lung condition, specifically Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), is being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a medical opinion regarding his claimed exposure to dust and smoke during service. The Board requests an updated VA examination to determine if IPF is related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lung condition has not been linked to his service, specifically his exposure to dust and smoke during service in Southwest Asia from 1990 and 1991.
- Claimed conditions
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20049324
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 20049324.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for IPF was improper and has granted restoration of service connection for IPF, effective October 1, 2025.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD either contributed to or aggravated his GERD, which in turn contributed to his IPF and caused his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
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