The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in excess of 10 percent are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current IBS had its onset during service, but a VA medical opinion is needed to address this issue.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disability, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2022
- Citation
- 22033825
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 22033825.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal regarding attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in a June 2021 rating decision is dismissed as moot due to the waiver of rights by R.V.C.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
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