The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral pleural plaques is remanded due to uncertainty regarding the impairment caused by his service-connected disability versus his nonservice-connected conditions and possible impact of his aortic valve replacement and cardiac rehabilitation on PFT findings.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner noted uncertainty in differentiating the effects of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pleural plaques from his nonservice-connected emphysema and the possible impact of his aortic valve replacement and cardiac rehabilitation on PFT findings.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral pleural plaques
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23005381
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 23005381.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lung condition, to include COPD, asbestosis, and bilateral pleural plaques due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and his current lung condition.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a higher disability rating was dismissed because the January 2024 rating decision implemented a previous Board decision and is not appealable. The Veteran will receive a separate decision regarding their September 2024 VA Form 10182.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pleural plaques disability and obtaining any outstanding records.
- Granted
The Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral pleural plaques is due to his in-service exposure to asbestos. The Board has determined that the criteria for service connection are met, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral pleural plaques.
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