The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, an earlier effective date for the award of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain, and an increased rating for that condition. The Board has also remanded to determine whether a December 1975 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous in failing to adjudicate a claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms are unclearly related to his period of active service, but VA treatment records from the Shreveport VA Medical Center need to be obtained. The Board also needs to determine whether the December 1975 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous in failing to adjudicate a claim for cervical spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- gastrointestinal disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2009
- Citation
- 0918269
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0918269.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for mental depression/anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and an adequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal or esophageal disability was caused or aggravated by service or any related conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a duty to assist error. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder claim will be reconsidered with the inclusion of all relevant private medical records.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome and a stomach condition, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the symptoms began in service and are related to service.
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