The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted within one year of the April 2017 rating decision.,Service connection for a pulmonary disability, hypertension, joint pain, muscle pain, digestive condition (irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis), cardiac condition, and hepatic condition were all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was related to his active service.,There is no current diagnosis of or treatment for a pulmonary disability in the record, and VA treatment records do not indicate any association with service. The Veteran has not provided lay evidence or private medical evidence indicating a relationship between his claimed pulmonary disability and service.,The Veteran's hypertension was confirmed but there are insufficient medical opinions to determine if it is related to service.,VA treatment records show complaints of joint pain, muscle tension, and muscle pain, but no VA examination or opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.,There is a lack of sufficient medical evidence to establish whether the Veteran's digestive condition (irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis) was caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury.,VA treatment records note complaints of a fluttering heartbeat, but no VA examination or opinion regarding the etiology of this cardiac condition.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with hepatic hemangioma, but there are insufficient medical opinions to determine if it is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine disability, pulmonary disability, hypertension, joint pain, muscle pain, digestive condition (irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis), cardiac condition, hepatic condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23020604
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 23020604.
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 remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
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The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
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