The veteran's diagnosed otitis externa, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine do not represent 'undiagnosed illnesses' for purposes of entitlement to disability compensation based on active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.
The deciding factor: The veteran's diagnosed conditions have been attributed to known clinical diagnoses, thus precluding their consideration under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 as a matter of law.
- Claimed conditions
- otitis externa, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2001
- Citation
- 0111980
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 0111980.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal stricture and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding the latter condition. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining such an opinion.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for gastroesophageal reflux disease and obstructive sleep apnea have been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 2, 2015, for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show actual worsening within one year prior to his March 2, 2015, claim.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal contesting eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an October 3, 2025 rating decision. The AOJ issued a corrected FAN and amended FAN that replaced the previous decisions, leading to no valid appeal pending.
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