The Board denied service connection for rectal bleeding, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperlipidemia as the evidence did not support a link to active service. The claims for a liver condition, heart condition, dyspnea, and phlebitis/thrombophlebitis were remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The weight of the evidence was against finding that rectal bleeding began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. Hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia are not considered disabilities for VA compensation purposes. A remand was necessary for a liver condition, heart condition, dyspnea, and phlebitis/thrombophlebitis as they may be related to the Veteran's service.
- Claimed conditions
- rectal bleeding, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, liver condition (claimed as 'elevated liver function'), heart condition, to include pericarditis, dyspnea, phlebitis and thrombophlebitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2023
- Citation
- 23001631
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Dismissed
The appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, degenerative arthritis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension was dismissed due to non-compliance with claims processing rules.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cervical spine condition, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, lumbar spine condition, and urinary frequency and voiding condition as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence or aggravation.
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