The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as Crohn's colitis) is granted. Service connection for the gastrointestinal disability is also granted, with the condition being secondary to PTSD. The Board has found that there are new and material evidence supporting this claim. However, both issues of rating PTSD and determining TDIU remain pending due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for a new examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's application to reopen his gastrointestinal disability claim was supported by new evidence showing the condition may be aggravated by service-connected PTSD. The Board has granted reopening but remanded both issues of rating PTSD (including seeking updated VA treatment records) and determining TDIU due to the need for a new examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Crohn's colitis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21074970
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 21074970.
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 was granted service connection for Crohn's colitis, which the Board found to have begun during his active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected Crohn's colitis, and for obtaining all outstanding medical records.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected status post pubovaginal sling and anterior cystoscopy repair with residuals of urinary frequency is rated at 60 percent, effective May 2006. Service connection for Crohn's colitis and gastroparesis has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Crohn's colitis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 1, 2006.
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