The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an initial compensable rating for her scars, finding that there was no evidence of a compensable scar.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the only residual from the exploratory laparotomy surgery was a non-compensable abdominal scar.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a viral syndrome (including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and chronic low back pain), mitral valve prolapse, peptic ulcer disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2003
- Citation
- 0330736
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0330736.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia and Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, bronchus, as well as an extension of the temporary 100 percent disability evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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