The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and GERD, as it found no evidence of such disabilities in service or related to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The Board also noted that any current gastrointestinal issues are not linked to service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined there is no direct link between the Veteran's current gastrointestinal symptoms and her military service, including exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water, or a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal disorder, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2026
- Citation
- 26000433
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 26000433.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a gastrointestinal disorder as secondary to PTSD because the Veteran died before his hearing could be conducted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, obstructive sleep apnea, IBS, diabetic nephropathy, and erectile dysfunction was granted with an effective date of November 14, 2022. The award also includes SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was granted with an effective date of October 29, 2024. This decision also grants the Veteran a 70 percent rating for PTSD from October 27, 2021.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your appeals have been dismissed because the VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), was not timely filed within one year from the date of the rating decisions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and IBS/GERD were denied as there was no evidence of severe health impairment or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.
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