The Board found that the veteran's irritable colon syndrome preexisted his military service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it was determined that the condition was aggravated by a non-service-connected cause.
The deciding factor: There was no increase in the underlying severity of the veteran's preexisting irritable bowel syndrome during his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- irritable colon syndrome
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2002
- Citation
- 0204684
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 0204684.
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 case due to insufficient reasoning regarding whether medication provided relief from symptoms and lessened disability severity.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for irritable colon syndrome was withdrawn by the Veteran and is therefore dismissed.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for dyspnea as a sign or symptom of an undiagnosed illness involving the respiratory system and denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis. Several other claims were remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for a stomach disability (other than GERD and hiatal hernia), diagnosed as irritable colon syndrome and diverticulitis, based on new and relevant evidence.
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