The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal reflux disease and restricted lung disease are not well grounded. The claim for service connection for injuries sustained from a fall, claimed as secondary to the service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The issue regarding an increased evaluation for total arthroplasty due to degenerative joint disease and synovitis of the left knee has been addressed.
The deciding factor: The submitted medical records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish a direct service connection for esophageal reflux disease or restricted lung disease, as there is no competent evidence showing these conditions were incurred in service. The claim for injuries sustained from a fall, claimed as secondary to the service-connected bilateral knee disabilities has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- injuries resulting from a fall, esophageal reflux disease, restricted lung disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2000
- Citation
- 0001650
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0001650.
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: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for restricted lung disease and a compensable rating for tension headaches, while remanding the claim for service connection for low back strain.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. No service connection decisions have been made for any of the listed conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for restricted lung disease and GERD. The claims are being remanded due to potential TERA development under the PACT Act.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, emphysema, and restricted lung disease, is related to service-connected sinusitis or rhinitis or due to in-service asbestos exposure. However, additional development is needed as the medical opinion provided did not address the Veteran's submissions or lay statements.
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