The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, including diverticulitis and constipation, is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing the etiology and pathophysiology of the Veteran's diagnosed gastrointestinal disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner failed to address whether the pathophysiology of the Veteran's diverticulitis is inconclusive or conclusive, making the VA opinion partially inadequate.
- Claimed conditions
- diverticulitis, constipation
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24038242
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24038242.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's disability picture, primarily due to Parkinson's disease and related manifestations, does not meet the criteria for SMC at the statutory housebound level as his other disabilities do not yield a combined rating of 60 percent.
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