The Board granted service connection for a bowel disability, to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as secondary to service-connected PTSD and denied the remaining claims for service connection.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted based on an etiological relationship between the Veteran's claimed bowel disability and his service-connected PTSD. The other claims were denied due to a lack of evidence supporting the presence of the claimed disabilities or their relation to active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- bowel disability, to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritis, cardiovascular disability, chronic disability manifested by joint pain, chronic disability manifested by muscle pain, right knee disability, left knee disability, to include as secondary to a right knee disability, headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (claimed as fatigue syndrome), to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (claimed as a gastrointestinal disability), respiratory disability, to include bronchiectasis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25042950
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal to obtain a VA medical opinion that considers the Veteran's contentions of in-service training with heavy gear and equipment.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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