The Veteran's claims for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and ulcerative colitis are denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder radiculopathy secondary to cervical degenerative joint disease is granted. The Board finds the evidence at least equipoise on whether his current condition is due to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for COPD and a right shoulder disability are remanded as there was no VA examination conducted for these conditions.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient evidence to substantiate the Veteran's reported exposure to burn pits during his service. The Board finds that the evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that toxic risk activities, including burn pit exposure, occurred.,The VA examiner diagnosed left side cervical radiculopathy and opined that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with radicular pain from his cervical spine disability. After resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds service connection for left shoulder radiculopathy is warranted.,VA examination was not conducted for COPD or right shoulder disability.
- Claimed conditions
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, left shoulder radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2024
- Citation
- A24085266
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 A24085266.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a colon condition, including as caused by herbicide agent exposure or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection on any basis.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and service connection for ulcerative colitis are being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant medical records.
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