The Board denied service connection for an irritable bowel/colon disorder and duodenitis, but granted a 10% rating for hiatal hernia. The veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were also denied.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence showed that the duodenitis and irritable bowel/colon disorders resolved during active service, and all gastric symptoms since separation have been associated with hiatal hernia and reflux. The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his spine disabilities were denied as there was no new or material evidence to reopen them.
- Claimed conditions
- Duodenitis, Irritable bowel/colon
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 2, 2003
- Citation
- 0310662
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,177 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0310662.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), duodenitis, esophagitis, gastritis, and H. Pylori, allergic rhinitis, and urticaria to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left foot condition, GERD, duodenitis, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder are being remanded for further review.,Specifically, the Veteran contends these conditions are secondary to his service-connected back condition, left knee conditions, right ankle condition, and right foot condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including its relationship to service-connected PTSD and exposure to burn pits during service in the Persian Gulf.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for GERD and remanded the issue of rating for duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, and gastritis.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.