The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions and their relationship to his current disabilities. The Board has ordered additional development of the claims, including obtaining clarification from the June 2009 VA examiner regarding the diagnoses and relationships between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his service-connected anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder.
The deciding factor: The decision is remanded due to the need for further clarification on the diagnoses and causal relationships between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his current disabilities, as well as the need to obtain SSA records relevant to his disability benefits claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Hiatal hernia, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Spastic colon and constipation, Degenerative disc disease, cervical spine, Numbness and tingling of the bilateral upper extremities, Degenerative joint disease, left shoulder, Degenerative joint disease, right shoulder, Torn biceps, right arm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2011
- Citation
- 1116060
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 1116060.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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