The Veteran's service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by abdominal discomfort and diarrhea is granted. Ratings of 20 percent are assigned for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and right knee instability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War qualifies him for presumptive service connection for an undiagnosed illness. The Board found that his symptoms of abdominal discomfort and diarrhea have persisted for more than six months without a known clinical diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- undiagnosed illness manifested by abdominal discomfort and diarrhea, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, left knee instability, right knee instability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22067620
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 22067620.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 17, 2019, for the grants of service connection for right knee instability, right knee tendonitis, and right femur fracture are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability associated with degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of motion associated with tendonitis with degenerative arthritis is denied.
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