The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a stomach condition and bilateral upper and lower peripheral nerve conditions, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that the evidence did not support a secondary service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's stomach condition is not related to his service-connected PTSD, as there was no empirical evidence of causation and the Veteran's lay opinion lacked credibility. For the peripheral nerve conditions, the VA examiner found them more likely due to non-service-connected spine conditions rather than diabetes mellitus.
- Claimed conditions
- stomach condition, bilateral upper and lower peripheral nerve conditions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21025286
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 21025286.
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 residuals of resection of small intestine due to remaining internal scar tissue from a service-connected gunshot wound. However, the Veteran does not have a documented current diagnosis of a stomach condition and therefore, service connection for a stomach condition is denied.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal, and he was denied for stomach condition, liver condition, and depression.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, to include GERD, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including a stomach condition, neck disability, lower back disability, bulging discs in the back, uterine fibroids, asthma (claimed as breathing problems), Graves' disease (thyroid disability), hypertension, and tachycardia. The Board found that there is no evidence of these conditions being related to service or toxic exposures.
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.