The Veteran's gastrointestinal stromal tumor and its treatment are the primary focus of these claims. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, including VA and non-VA treatment records, and to provide an updated opinion regarding the potential relationship between the Veteran’s 2009 diagnosis and treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor and his claimed disabilities.
The deciding factor: The August 2013 VA opinion based on inaccurate factual premises is inadequate. A new medical opinion is needed that considers all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's reports of pain in 2007.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Back condition (secondary to gastrointestinal stromal tumor), Hernia, Residuals of pneumonia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18150831
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 18150831.
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 procedural issues and a need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services as his vocational goal of becoming a scuba instructor was not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hernia is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter at issue in the claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.
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