The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral lung disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding his respiratory disability, other than asthma. The issues are inextricably intertwined.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a decision on the service connection claim could significantly impact the TDIU claim, making them inextricably intertwined and requiring remand.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral lung disorder, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), pulmonary nodules, calcified granuloma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23065637
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 23065637.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his COPD with ILD, specifically bronchiectasis and pulmonary nodules as it is a freestanding claim that cannot be filed after a final decision.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's pulmonary nodules are causally related to his active duty military service and grants entitlement to service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a challenge regarding the competency of the VA examiner who provided an opinion on the Veteran's COPD and pulmonary nodules. The Veteran's representative argued that the examiner lacked sufficient training and expertise, necessitating further investigation.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, brain tumor, and pulmonary nodules due to toxic exposures in service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical records, and VA examiners have provided opinions linking these conditions to his exposure to various toxins during military service.
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