The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is dismissed.,Service connection for eczema has been granted, effective February 18, 2022.
The deciding factor: There was no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's eczema existed prior to service. The Board found that the Veteran's lay assertions of similar skin symptoms in and since service were indicative of continuous disability since service.
- Claimed conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Eczema, Hyperthyroidism, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Gallbladder Condition (to include cholecystitis and/or residuals of gallbladder removal), Allergic Rhinitis, Residual Scarring, associated with allergic rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2022
- Citation
- 22037859
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 22037859.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his active service. The Board noted that while he had complaints of earaches in service, these did not indicate a current disability.
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