The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected neurogenic bowel to obtain a medical opinion that evaluates the severity of the disability without the ameliorative effects of any medication.
The deciding factor: The VA examination did not address whether the Veteran's symptoms are improved by medication, which is required under the precedent decision in Ingram.
- Claimed conditions
- neurogenic bowel
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25045365
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 denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for neurogenic bowel and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including dizziness, degenerative changes and spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bronchiolitis, GERD, migraine headaches, neurogenic bowel, and sleep apnea.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for neurogenic bowel due to an incomplete medical examination.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal, and all claims were dismissed.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.