SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A federal appeals court says a pilot who lost his license for failing to disclose that he was HIV-positive can sue the government for improperly disclosing his medical records.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Monday that the Social Security Administration improperly turned over Stanmore Cooper's medical records to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The San Francisco man disclosed to Social Security officials his condition to receive medical benefits but withheld his HIV status from the FAA.

A lower court had agreed that Cooper's medical records were handled inappropriately, but tossed out the case because he couldn't prove any out-of-pocket expenses.

The appeals court ruled that Cooper can recoup unspecified damages by claiming that the disclosure caused him emotional distress.