The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete analysis of service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and objective indications of a disability manifested by diarrhea. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether IBS or any diagnosed gastrointestinal disability is related to the Veteran's in-service Gulf War exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the examination was inadequate as it did not order diagnostic testing for IBS, nor provided an opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of undiagnosed illness manifested by diarrhea. The PACT Act was also not in effect at the time of the January 2020 rating decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diarrhea
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26000045
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 A26000045.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee meniscal tear, and IBS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment from May 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence is in balance, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his IBS, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a moderate or severe condition as defined by VA regulations.
- Granted
The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for service-connected vitamin D deficiency, finding that the Veteran's recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea most closely approximates the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 6313. The claim for service connection for IBS was not addressed in this decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's IBS with GERD was granted an initial 60 percent rating. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and development.
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