Some EGR valves are designed to move by either vacuum or pressure. If the engine idles smoothly when the EGR diaphragm moves in a direction away from the engine, then it might be that his new/replacement EGR valve is the wrong one. IIRC they have stamped labels on the frame that are either P or N (positive or negative) for the type of pressure needed to make it operate.
IOW EGR is supposed to be close, non-functioning, at idle..... and yet your brother's engine runs better when the EGR is open. That suggests the EGR valve fits but is opposite in function. Maybe the EGR valve was in the wrong box when he bought it.
edit: it's also possible that he has the vacuum lines to the EGR solenoid and/or valve improperly attached to the wrong location.
See also:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/te...e-testing.html (EGR Valve testing)