The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic diarrhea, numbness of the left leg and arm, cervical spine disorder, GERD, ureterolithiasis, chest pains and heart palpitations, and lower back pain, as the VA examinations are inadequate.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinions were found to be conclusory and factually inaccurate, failing to address all relevant evidence of record and not providing a clear rationale for their conclusions.
- Claimed conditions
- Sinusitis, Rhinitis, Chronic diarrhea, Numbness of the left leg, Numbness of the left arm, Cervical spine disorder, to include degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease (DDD), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; also claimed as pelvic pain), Ureterolithiasis (claimed as kidney stones and pelvic pain), Chest pains and heart palpitations, Lower back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2025
- Citation
- A25028166
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 asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and remanded the claims for cervical spine, hip, thigh, and hip extension disorders for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, non allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while granting service connection for left knee strain and left leg shin splints.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.