The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and colon condition are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ must obtain new or addendum opinions from qualified clinicians, including possibly a GI specialist, to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the initial VA examiners' opinions were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements and failed to discuss all relevant details of the claim. The AOJ must obtain new or addendum opinions from qualified clinicians, including possibly a GI specialist, to address these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- back condition status post laminectomy, colon condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2026
- Citation
- A26040111
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 A26040111.
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 Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a colon condition, including as caused by herbicide agent exposure or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection on any basis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and regulatory or statutory duties, specifically for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the gastrointestinal disability, including cecal mass.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for a back condition status post laminectomy, service connection for diverticulitis (claimed as a colon condition), and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The reasons for the remands are provided in detail.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
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