The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and vocal cord paralysis are not attributable to the May 1991 VA cervical spine surgery, thus denying his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions concluded that the gastrointestinal disorder pre-existed the surgery and was unrelated to the May 1991 procedure, while vocal cord paralysis resulted from stretching or compression of the laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve rather than damage to the vagus nerve itself.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal disorder, Vocal cord paralysis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2011
- Citation
- 1110760
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1110760.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a gastrointestinal disorder as secondary to PTSD because the Veteran died before his hearing could be conducted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 2, 2023, for the establishment of service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder and hypertension are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder is remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and GERD, as it found no evidence of such disabilities in service or related to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The Board also noted that any current gastrointestinal issues are not linked to service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the Veteran's claim of a gastrointestinal disorder, leading to remand. The case will be reconsidered with additional medical records and examination.
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