The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia and an upper respiratory condition other than sinusitis or pharyngitis is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need to consider potential TERA exposures.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous VA examinations were insufficient, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory conditions. The PACT Act requires consideration of total exposure through all applicable deployments and the synergistic effect of toxic exposure risk activities for claims involving such exposures.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of pneumonia, upper respiratory condition other than sinusitis or pharyngitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2024
- Citation
- 24012462
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 24012462.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's residuals of pneumonia are service-connected due to his military service and the presence of lung scarring from previous pneumonia episodes.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is service-connected based on in-service stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection has been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, finding that there is no current disability to establish entitlement.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of pneumonia as the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and military service.
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