Citation Nr: 20072010 Decision Date: 11/06/20 Archive Date: 11/06/20 DOCKET NO. 18-01 949 DATE: November 6, 2020 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for gastric polyps is denied. FINDING OF FACT A disorder manifested by gastric polyp was not incurred in service and is not etiologically related to service. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for gastric polyp have not been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran had active service from May 1955 to May 1975. In February 2019, the Board remanded issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastric polyps. The claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathies, and obstructive sleep apnea were granted in an August 2020 rating decision. Service connection may be established for disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military, naval, or air service. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. Service connection may be granted for any disease initially diagnosed after discharge, when all the evidence, including that pertinent to service, establishes the disease was incurred in service. 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(d). A March 2008 esophagogastroduodenoscopy/colonoscopy revealed findings including colon polyps. The record notes that there had been prior adenomatous colon polyps. There was a patchy area of mild gastritis, but the stomach was otherwise normal. A May 2013 treatment record reveals the Veteran’s history of rectal blood associated with gastric polyp and colon polyp. July 2015 private treatment records report that recent endoscopy and colonoscopy revealed several fundic gland polyps, which were removed. A January 2020 VA examination record reveals the Veteran’s history of gastric polyps that started in 2016 and that the removal of polyps has resulted in bloating and gas. The examiner determined it was less likely than not that the gastric polyps were incurred in or caused by service. The examiner noted that there were no medical records showing diagnosis or treatment for gastric polyps or any related gastric polyp condition during service. Service connection is not warranted for gastric polyps. The Board finds a disorder manifested by gastric polyps was not present until after the Veteran’s discharge from service and is not related to service. Service medical records reveal no findings of gastric polyps, the March 2008 colonoscopy/endoscopy did not reveal gastric polyps, and the 2019 VA examiner determined the gastric polyps were not incurred in service and were not related to service. There is no medical opinion linking the gastric polyps to service, and the Veteran has not reported symptoms attributed to gastric polyps during and since service. To the extent the record reveals gastrointestinal complaints during service, the Board notes that these symptoms have not been attributed to gastric polyps and the record indicates that the Veteran has other gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Thus, the Board finds the mere evidence of gastrointestinal symptoms in service is not a basis for service connection. Accordingly, the claim must be denied. In reaching this decision, the Board has considered the doctrine of reasonable doubt but has determined that it is not applicable because the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim. T. REYNOLDS Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board N. Snyder, counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.