The Board has found conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed digestive disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.
The deciding factor: There are conflicting medical opinions in the record, including one indicating that the Veteran’s digestive disorders were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities or medications, and another suggesting that anti-inflammatory drugs cause or aggravate peptic ulcers and GERD. The case requires further clarification to resolve these discrepancies.
- Claimed conditions
- Digestive disorder, PUD (Peptic Ulcer Disease), GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), Chronic gastritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20067315
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 Board granted service connection for a digestive disorder secondary to PTSD and awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grant of higher ratings for migraines and GERD, as well as eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted as May 29, 2006, but no earlier. The claims for service connection for digestive disorder, eating disorder, acne, facial scars, and depression are remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2021, for the awards of service connection and secondary service connection for various disabilities.
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