The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper and lower gastrointestinal disabilities, including gastritis, GERD, esophagitis, IBS, colon polyps, and diverticulosis, are service-connected as they began during his active service. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptoms and the VA examiner's consideration of these statements.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's in-service symptoms have been diagnosed as his current gastrointestinal disabilities, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- gastritis, GERD, esophagitis, IBS, colon polyps, diverticulosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23048416
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 23048416.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding the diagnosis of gastritis and its relation to service. The Veteran needs to provide records, and a VA examiner will review his medical history and determine if gastritis is related to his military service or any other conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion and a need for further examination.
- Granted
A 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, and service connection for hypertension is denied.
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