The Veteran's respiratory disability, including atelectasis of the left lung and bronchitis, is secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD). The Board has found that the January 2020 VA examination opinion was inadequate for deciding the claim. Therefore, a remand is necessary to obtain a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bronchitis is caused by or aggravated by his CAD and if his atelectasis has resolved.
The deciding factor: The Board found the January 2020 VA examiner’s opinions insufficient due to their failure to address the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) and his current respiratory disability, including bronchitis, as well as whether his left lung atelectasis has resolved.
- Claimed conditions
- atelectasis of the left lung, bronchitis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20069909
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 service connection for bronchitis, COPD, asthma, and plantar fasciitis as not being related to the Veteran's military service. The Board also denied an increased rating for painful malunion of the left clavicle, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for bronchitis, COPD, asthma, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for OSA, and an increased rating higher than 20 percent for painful malunion of the left clavicle.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and bronchitis was dismissed as the Board Appeal request was not timely filed.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for bronchitis and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection, as the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.
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