The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence is needed from SSA and VA to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s cardiovascular disease, GERD, PTSD, HTN, and sinusitis. A new examination is required to provide a clear opinion on these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Cardiovascular Disease, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Hypertension (HTN), Chronic Sinusitis with Front Sinusotomy Endoscopic, Polypoid Pansinusitis, and Headaches, Surgical Scar, Status Post Frontal Sinus Obliteration
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19100371
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19100371.
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 claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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