The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a stomach disability, to include diarrhea and rectal bleeding. The evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during service or is related to service in any other way.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence showing a chronic stomach disability present during service or within one year of separation, and the most recent VA examination did not find a relationship between the Veteran's current symptoms and his service. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition was more likely related to aging rather than any in-service gastrointestinal problems.
- Claimed conditions
- stomach disorder, diarrhea, rectal bleeding
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2018
- Citation
- 1802207
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 1802207.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and internal inconsistencies in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms, including IBS, constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids, need further evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids with rectal bleeding is remanded due to the VA's failure to obtain a medical opinion on direct service connection and as related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for diarrhea, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroenteritis, IBS, and diarrhea, are found to be related to her active service. The issues of separate ratings for bulimia and unspecified anxiety disorder are also granted.
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