The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and associated upper and lower extremity disorders, as well as muscle pain and spasticity disorder, vertigo, intermittent fecal incontinence not otherwise specified (bowel problems, gastrointestinal problems), neurogenic bladder disorder, and cervical spine disorder. The reasons are that there is insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the service connection claims because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's multiple sclerosis (if diagnosed) is a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI).
- Claimed conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis, Right Upper Extremity Disorder (numbness, weakness, tingling), Left Upper Extremity Disorder (numbness, weakness, tingling), Right Lower Extremity Disability (numbness, weakness, tingling), Left Lower Extremity (numbness, weakness, tingling), Muscle Pain and Spasticity Disorder, Vertigo, Intermittent Fecal Incontinence not otherwise specified (bowel problems, gastrointestinal problems), Neurogenic Bladder Disorder, Cervical Spine Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23003149
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 23003149.
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 Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Appellant's reserve component service and conducting a VA examination to determine if her multiple sclerosis is related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for vertigo and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 30 percent for vertigo is granted, while the claim for an increased rating for tinnitus remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, Hypertension, and Headaches. The case is being remanded to allow for further consideration.
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