The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and irritable colon syndrome, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed that the veteran's hypertension was well-controlled with no additional pathology attributed to it, and his irritable colon syndrome was manifested by mild symptoms without frequent episodes of bowel disturbance.
- Claimed conditions
- right shoulder bursitis, left shoulder bursitis, migraines, left ear Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis, temporomandibular joint pain, hypertension, irritable colon syndrome (claimed as erosive gastritis, acid peptic disease, reflux esophagitis, duodenitis, healed duodenal ulcer, peptic ulcer disease, gastroenteritis, functional bowel syndrome)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2001
- Citation
- 0103689
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0103689.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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