The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including esophagitis, sigmoid diverticulosis, and possible irritable bowel syndrome, is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner must assess the likelihood of a connection between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders and his alleged exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Claimed conditions
- esophagitis, sigmoid diverticulosis, possible irritable bowel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2014
- Citation
- 1425894
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 1425894.
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 initial disability rating for migraine headaches has been granted at 50 percent. The issue of service connection for hiatal hernia and esophagitis, related to PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD with esophagitis is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for esophagitis and gastric ulcer/gastritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active military service. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to a toxic environment during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a stomach condition, including gastritis and esophagitis, due to an inadequate rationale in the previous medical opinion. A new examination is required to determine if any current stomach conditions are related to service, particularly exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.