The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS, shortness of breath as an undiagnosed illness, and various joint and finger pain conditions have been granted.,Service connection has also been remanded for the Veteran's claim for a right knee disability, left knee disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and respiratory condition including shortness of breath.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had IBS during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Board found that there was no direct service connection opinion provided by a medical professional that contradicted this finding.,For the undiagnosed illness claims, including shortness of breath, the VA examiners did not provide a diagnosis and noted that the Veteran's symptoms could be attributed to his known conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. The Board found these opinions insufficient to deny service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), shortness of breath, left hip pain, right hip pain, right third finger PIP joint pain, right third finger DIP joint pain, right fourth finger PIP joint pain, right fourth finger DIP joint pain, left second finger PIP joint pain, left second finger DIP joint pain, left third finger PIP joint pain, left third finger DIP joint pain, left fourth finger PIP joint pain, left fourth finger DIP joint pain
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2022
- Citation
- 22013641
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 22013641.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not establish that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for liver cancer and an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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.