The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service respiratory events and his later-developed COPD and/or NSIP/hypersensitivity pneumonitis with associated pulmonary fibrosis. The issue remains under consideration.
The deciding factor: An additional advisory medical opinion is needed to address the appellant’s contention as to a possible relationship between in-service respiratory events and the development of the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or chronic interstitial lung disease, non-specific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP)/hypersensitivity pneumonitis with associated pulmonary fibrosis.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD, Chronic Interstitial Lung Disease (NSIP/hypersensitivity pneumonitis with associated pulmonary fibrosis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20059558
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 20059558.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. COPD is considered a disease associated with such exposure.
- Granted
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for COPD. The Veteran's COPD is presumed due to exposure to herbicides, but the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is related to in-service exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lung condition, including pneumonia residuals, COPD, and emphysema, is remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service. The appeal is reopened based on new evidence.
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