The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a duodenal ulcer. The issues of increased ratings for hypertension, left foot bunion, degenerative disc disease L3-L4 and L4-L5, left total knee replacement (prior to March 3, 2016), left total knee replacement (from May 1, 2017 to February 6, 2018 and from February 7, 2018 onwards), and a left knee surgical scar are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the August 1994 rating decision raises a substantial possibility of substantiating the claim of service connection for a duodenal ulcer. The Veteran's current ulcer symptoms have been testified to during the March 2020 hearing, and more recent medical records are now available.
- Claimed conditions
- Duodenal Ulcer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20049025
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 20049025.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, duodenal ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome. The remaining claims regarding a neurological disorder of the left and right elbows were remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD but denied it for duodenal ulcer, diverticulosis, and hemorrhoids.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PFB and duodenal ulcer, as well as his claim for service connection of OSA. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful occupation.
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