The Board has denied service connection for an eye disability, skin cancer, gastrointestinal disability (diverticulitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.,Specifically, a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's skin cancer and gastrointestinal disabilities (including diverticulitis and GERD) began in or are related to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: The Board has found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for service connection must be further evaluated with additional medical opinions considering all relevant factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Eye Disability (Pseudophakia based on cataracts in both eyes and maculopathy of the right eye), Skin Cancer, Gastrointestinal Disability (Diverticulitis), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2023
- Citation
- 23003816
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 23003816.
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's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to July 29, 2024. The GERD rating remains at 30 percent disabled but no higher.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's IBS with GERD was granted an initial 60 percent rating. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and development.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected IBS and GERD, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
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