The Board has granted service connection for chronic constipation due to its aggravation by medication used to treat his service-connected disabilities. Service connection was denied for other GI disorders, arthritis of bilateral hips, and arthritis of the right shoulder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's chronic constipation is aggravated by medications used to treat his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s other GI disorders or arthritis to his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic constipation, GI disorders (excluding chronic constipation), arthritis of bilateral hips, arthritis of right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18127898
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 18127898.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Veteran's partial pancreatectomy with chronic constipation is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the July 2024 fee decision is incomplete and does not properly identify the full issue at the center of the present appeal, including the specific amount of past-due benefits awarded and the amount withheld for fees. The case is therefore being remanded to provide a corrected fee decision.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your appeal has been dismissed because you withdrew your request to continue the appeal on July 30, 2025.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's chronic constipation was not manifested by moderate symptoms, including frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress. Therefore, the claim for an initial compensable evaluation is denied.
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.