The veteran's fibromyalgia, right hip disability, left hip strain, irritable bowel syndrome, and right foot disability are not shown to be etiologically related to his active service.,The veteran's hypertension is not shown to causally relate to active service. Evidence received since the August 1991 rating decision demonstrates a current diagnosis of hypertension in the context of elevated blood pressure readings during service.,The veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is not shown to be related to his active service and/or caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,The veteran's left foot disability, specifically hallux valgus, is not shown to causally relate to his active service and/or caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish a direct link between the claimed conditions and the veteran's active military service.,While there is current medical evidence of hypertension, it was not shown during service. The new evidence does not provide sufficient connection to service.,There is no established link between the low back disability and the veteran's active service. The new evidence does not support a finding that the condition was aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,The left foot disability (hallux valgus) has not been shown to be related to the veteran's active military service.
- Claimed conditions
- fibromyalgia, right hip degenerative joint disease of the right sacroiliac joint, left hip strain, irritable bowel syndrome, right hallux valgus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2008
- Citation
- 0839341
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 0839341.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ did not obtain all necessary opinions regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms are related to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI). The claims for service connection for fatigue, fibromyalgia, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep disorder are remanded for further development.
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.