The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol use disorder, chronic sinusitis, and chronic headaches have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim for gastrointestinal disorders (including chronic gastritis and diverticulosis).,Service connection is not granted for alcohol use disorder as it cannot be established on a direct basis due to preclusion by law. Service connection is also not granted for chronic sinusitis or chronic headaches, as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied because the evidence did not establish that he had current diagnoses of alcohol use disorder, chronic sinusitis, or chronic headaches. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.,Service connection was also not granted for gastrointestinal disorders as there is no medical opinion linking the current diagnosed conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- alcohol use disorder, chronic sinusitis, chronic headaches, gastrointestinal disorders (including chronic gastritis and diverticulosis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2020
- Citation
- A20016672
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 A20016672.
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: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome as there is no evidence of a current disability in the record.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, along with alcohol use disorder, has been granted a 100% evaluation effective from April 8, 2021. The disability causes total occupational and social impairment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's effective date for service connection of left leg amputation and associated scars, as well as SMC based on loss of use of the left leg, is set to January 28, 2022. The effective date for DEA eligibility is also set to January 28, 2022. An effective date prior to January 28, 2022, was denied for service connection of chronic headaches.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.