The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's contention that his overactive bladder (OAB) disability is related to service. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the OAB disorder had its onset in, was caused by, or is otherwise related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found a duty-to-assist error due to the September 2019 VA examiner not addressing the Veteran's contention that he experienced symptoms of his OAB during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Overactive Bladder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2020
- Citation
- A20017641
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 A20017641.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back and foot conditions, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for overactive bladder and mood disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.
- Denied
The Board denied a separate compensable rating for bladder impairment associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an association between the two conditions.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed overactive bladder disorder and IBS are secondary to her service-connected fibromyalgia, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.
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