The Veteran's service-connected multiple small-bowel resections and hemicolectomy with peritoneal adhesions, status post ileocolostomy for multiple abdominal gunshot wounds have worsened. The Board finds a remand is required to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran testified that his symptoms associated with this disorder had increased in severity, and he has not been afforded a VA examination since 2014. VA is obligated to afford a veteran a contemporaneous examination where there is evidence of an increase in the severity of the disability.
- Claimed conditions
- multiple small-bowel resections and hemicolectomy with peritoneal adhesions, status post ileocolostomy for multiple abdominal gunshot wounds, dumping syndrome, inability to tolerate solid foods, deterioration of small bowel left
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20026303
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 20026303.
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 matter for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and a clarifying addendum medical opinion on the current severity of the Veteran's post-operative hiatal hernia to include gastroparesis and dumping syndrome with post-prandial hypoglycemia.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for colon cancer and dumping syndrome, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's dumping syndrome and gastric ulcer are granted a 40 percent rating, effective from July 12, 2010.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dumping syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and that the current disability is not related to herbicide exposure. The Board also found that a VA examination was not warranted.
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