The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for a gastroenterologist examination to determine the nature and etiology of any gastrointestinal disorders, and arranging for a mental health provider examination to determine if any diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder is proximately due to his service-connected anxiety disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the June 2015 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not address the November 1999 IBS diagnosis or the September 2010 private treatment note opinion in favor of a nexus to service, and did not discuss the Veteran's history of somatic complaints.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal disability (other than gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2016
- Citation
- 1618329
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 1618329.
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 Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
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