The Board denied service connection for a digestive disability, including bilharzia (schistosomiasis), because the evidence did not show that the disability was incurred in or etiologically related to active service. The Veteran submitted new private medical records showing gastritis and helicobacter pylori but this evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.
The deciding factor: The new evidence does not address the etiological relationship between the Veteran's service and post-service development of bilharzia, gastritis, or helicobacter pylori.
- Claimed conditions
- digestive disability, bilharzia (schistosomiasis)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18142441
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 18142441.
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 remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate nexus opinions and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims are related to his service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left shoulder disability, and left leg disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service and his current disabilities are found to be related to these service events.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, digestive disability, hemorrhoids, bilateral tinea pedis, and respiratory disability. The Veteran's claims are based on direct evidence of a link between his current conditions and active duty service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will consider whether there is a digestive disability separate from the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including post-gastrectomy syndrome.
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