The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical clarification regarding whether the Veteran's current abdominal disabilities, including a ventral hernia and/or diastasis recti, are related to in-service symptoms or injuries.
The deciding factor: The examiner did not address the specific service treatment records and provided an unclear rationale for the diagnosis of IBS instead of a ventral hernia and/or diastasis recti.
- Claimed conditions
- abdominal disabilities, ventral hernia, diastasis recti
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21008757
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 21008757.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his back and associated radiculopathy disabilities, which require assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, transferring, housekeeping, and meal preparation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to compensable ratings for the service-connected spine and hernia disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA standards.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus and ventral hernia were granted service connection effective October 1, 2022.
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.