The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran has any additional disability caused by the January 2011 VA colonoscopy, including left-hand condition, surgical scars, throat pain, and a saliva stone. The examiner must determine if these conditions are related to the colonoscopy and whether they were reasonably foreseeable risks.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a new VA examination is necessary due to contradictory reasoning in the previous VA opinion and the need to address the Veteran's claimed disabilities of left-hand injury, surgical scars, throat pain, and a saliva stone as potential additional disabilities caused by the January 2011 colonoscopy.
- Claimed conditions
- left-hand condition, surgical scars, throat pain, saliva stone
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19128481
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,680 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19128481.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 23, 2024.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of left-hand and right-hand conditions due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's active service is alleged to have caused his current hand conditions, which he contends are not supported by documented medical history.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for surgical scars was denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable rating is appropriate as the scars are less than 929 square centimeters and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and left-hand condition, but has remanded the claims of service connection for rib disability, right ankle disability, and right knee disability due to new evidence received.
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