The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection: an acquired psychiatric disorder, irritable colon syndrome, IVDS, and sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and MDD are based on private evaluations finding that he meets DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. For gastrointestinal and low back disorders, VA examinations are needed to determine if they are related to service. Regarding sciatic neuropathy, a medical opinion is required if IVDS is established.
The deciding factor: The Board found the Veteran's claims for PTSD and MDD remanded due to conflicting evidence from private evaluations versus a VA evaluation. For gastrointestinal and low back disorders, the Board determined that additional examinations are needed as there is insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. Regarding sciatic neuropathy, the Board held this claim in abeyance pending resolution of IVDS.
- Claimed conditions
- an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), irritable colon syndrome, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20002059
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 issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome based on limited cervical range of motion and a 40 percent rating for IVDS based on limited thoracolumbar range of motion, while dismissing the appeal for service connection for a right knee disability.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for irritable colon syndrome was withdrawn by the Veteran and is therefore dismissed.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for dyspnea as a sign or symptom of an undiagnosed illness involving the respiratory system and denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis. Several other claims were remanded for further development.
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