The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The claim for hypertension remains denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted based on new and material evidence. Chronic constipation secondary to service-connected hypertension is now service connected. Claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, fibromyalgia, and MUCMI are all denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran during the appeal process. The hypertension rating remains unchanged as there were no readings showing systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more or diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted based on new evidence received since the July 2008 denial, which relates to a current disability (diabetes). Chronic constipation secondary to service-connected hypertension is now service connected as there was objective medical evidence linking it to the Veteran's hypertension treatment. Claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, fibromyalgia, and MUCMI were denied due to lack of current diagnoses or sufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic constipation (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2022
- Citation
- 22065822
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 22065822.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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 claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and skin disabilities related to herbicide exposure.
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