The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of any impairment of sphincter control and whether it is caused by or aggravated by service-connected prostate residuals.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner was not able to provide an adequate opinion without resorting to speculation, as there were insufficient records to determine the cause or aggravation of the Veteran's reported bowel dysfunction.
- Claimed conditions
- impairment of sphincter control
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21076433
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 21076433.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial ratings for allergic rhinitis, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, and impairment of sphincter control were remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to provide notice of his right to a hearing.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pruritus ani, hemorrhoids, and impairment of sphincter control are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for sleep apnea was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for voiding dysfunction and impairment of sphincter control, both as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine L5-S1 with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
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