The Board denied service connection for weight fluctuations due to undiagnosed Gulf War illness and secondary to fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's IBS was the underlying cause of his weight changes.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's weight fluctuations were a manifestation of his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which had a clear etiology and diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- weight fluctuations, undiagnosed Gulf War illness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20048261
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 20048261.
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: Partly granted
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for astigmatism and weight fluctuations have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Veteran's claim for service connection for functional constipation has been granted.,The Veteran's right knee disability is remanded for further examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for undiagnosed Gulf War illness and PTSD, as well as rating increases for various knee conditions. The Veteran was not provided proper due process prior to the discontinuance of his right knee osteoarthritis disability rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for pancreatic cancer and remanded the issue of service connection for a disability manifested by chronic fatigue, headaches, and joint pain (undiagnosed Gulf War illness).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and an undiagnosed Gulf War illness due to lack of a current diagnosis in the record.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.
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