The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for pancreatitis and residuals of head trauma, including headaches and blackouts. The appellant's initial claims were denied in 1986 and 1997 respectively, and no new or material evidence was presented since those decisions.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the submitted evidence did not provide a basis to reopen the claims as it failed to present new information or significantly impact the decision regarding service connection for pancreatitis and residuals of head trauma.
- Claimed conditions
- pancreatitis, residuals of head trauma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2002
- Citation
- 0217494
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 0217494.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for asthma, COPD, pancreatitis, stroke, and left arm weakness (claimed as secondary to stroke) based on the presumption of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or due to in-service exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection for pancreatitis was granted with a 30% rating, effective November 15, 2023. The Veteran also received service connection for migraines and left ankle sprain with tendinitis, both rated at 30% and 20%, respectively, effective the same date.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection of pancreatitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 12, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (SMC/A&A) due to service-connected disabilities.
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