The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for constipation and acid reflux (GERD) due to secondary effects from service-connected conditions.,Further medical examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence is required to establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's current symptoms of constipation and acid reflux, and his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Constipation, Acid reflux (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - GERD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18103002
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 18103002.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD with constipation is rated at 30 percent effective September 3, 2024. Prior to this date, the rating was 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of opinion regarding whether the Veteran's IBS is related to his service, specifically Gulf War exposure. The VA will schedule an examination and provide an updated medical opinion.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the (o) rate based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions. He also meets the criteria for SMC at the (r)(1) level due to need for regular aid and attendance.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal for all issues related to disability ratings for various service-connected conditions.
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