The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, chronic fatigue (claimed as tension headaches), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in relative equipoise for each condition.,Service connection was established for irritable bowel syndrome based on symptoms dating back to active duty. Service connection for hypertension and chronic fatigue were also granted, with the examiner attributing the headaches to Gulf War exposure.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's service records showed elevated blood pressure readings during his deployment, which is considered a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2). The examiner also noted environmental exposures and prophylactic medications taken by the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hypertension, Chronic Fatigue (claimed as Chronic and Migraine Headaches), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (claimed as Indigestion and Gastrointestinal Problems)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2018
- Citation
- 1829377
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1829377.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 10% rating for hypertension effective December 1, 2025 and denied a rating in excess of 10%. The reduction from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.
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