The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, gastritis, pancreatitis, inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The appeals are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence was submitted which relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for a back disability. Further examinations are needed to determine if these conditions began during active service or are related to in-service events, including exposure to burn pits and gastrointestinal issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Disability, Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastritis, Inguinal Hernia, Hemorrhoids
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19173042
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 19173042.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 2020, for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied a higher initial rating and TDIU.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis C, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, Barrett's esophagus, and obstructive sleep apnea but dismissed the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and tinnitus.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no competent or credible evidence of a current diagnosis during the appellate period.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.