The Board denied service connection for diverticular disease and colon polyps, finding that the conditions are not related to active duty or service-connected IBS.
The deciding factor: VA examiners found no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness. The Veteran's current diverticulitis and colon polyps were attributed to known clinical diagnoses with explained etiology, not related to service-connected IBS.
- Claimed conditions
- diverticular disease, colon polyps
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19156170
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 19156170.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for adenocarcinoma colon (colon cancer) due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, but denied service connection for diverticular disease, which the Veteran contends is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic ear infections, chronic allergic rhinitis, colon polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic headaches (to include as due to sinusitis) based on the lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran's assertions were not considered competent evidence regarding his claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, specifically functional abdominal pain syndrome and/or diverticular disease. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bruising due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for breast tumors, gall bladder condition, and colon polyps are remanded as the evidence does not include an opinion on their relationship to active duty service or any toxic exposures.
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