The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for gastritis, service connection for swelling of the hands, feet, legs, and stomach, and service connection for hepatitis were all denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners noted intermittent diarrhea and crampy abdominal pain but attributed these to nonservice-connected conditions (HIV and hepatitis C). The veteran's service-connected gastritis was not shown to produce severe impairment of health as required by Diagnostic Codes 7346 or 7325.
- Claimed conditions
- gastritis, swelling of hands, feet, legs, and stomach (noted as chronic swelling), hepatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2007
- Citation
- 0730543
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 0730543.
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 has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding the diagnosis of gastritis and its relation to service. The Veteran needs to provide records, and a VA examiner will review his medical history and determine if gastritis is related to his military service or any other conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's gastritis and esophageal stricture are granted as service-connected.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and remanded the secondary service connection claims for GERD, hypertension, sleep apnea, gastritis, headaches, and fatigue as secondary to CAN.
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