The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD and PTSD. The VA clinician is requested to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.
The deciding factor: The VA clinician needs to address whether the Veteran's PTSD led to alcohol use that caused or aggravated his gastrointestinal disorder, as well as the etiology of his gastrointestinal disorder including GERD.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Other than an ulcer disorder, including as due to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22060920
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 22060920.
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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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