The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for chronic diarrhea (including IBS) and service connection for a left ankle disability, to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's attorney requested higher-level review of the March 2021 decision denying service connection for IBS due to presumed toxic exposure risk activities in Saudi Arabia during her military service from December 1990 to May 1991. For the left ankle disability, the Board found that there was some indication of a current disability and noted treatment records indicating instability in both ankles. The Board concluded that remand is required due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there were procedural errors in the decision-making process regarding service connection for IBS and left ankle disability, necessitating further review by the AOJ.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic diarrhea, IBS
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 17, 2024
- Citation
- A24057224
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 A24057224.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there is no current diagnosis of IBS or symptoms at any time during the pendency of the claim.
- Granted
A 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, and service connection for hypertension is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's IBS and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service connected, with the latter condition likely originating during active service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for chronic diarrhea, service connection for diverticulitis, and service connection for a respiratory system disability to include restrictive lung disease and sleep apnea syndrome have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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