The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, but the issues of service connection for uterine fibroid disability and stomach problems are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issue of service connection for anxiety disorder is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other two issues.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to her service-connected bilateral feet disorders, status post bunionectomy, and applied the benefit of doubt doctrine. However, the issues of uterine fibroid disability and stomach problems are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their pre-service existence or relationship to service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD), degenerative disc disease (DDD) with radiculopathy, uterine fibroid cysts, stomach problems
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19182837
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 remands the claim for service connection for stomach problems due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for a full gastrointestinal diagnostic evaluation.
- Denied
The Board denied an effective date earlier than December 16, 2014, for the award of service connection for functional dyspepsia and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU rating is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including stomach problems, distal esophagitis, hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), had its onset during service or is related to exposure to contaminated groundwater at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran was provided an opportunity for a VA examination but did not receive one.
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.