The Board finds that the appellant's current ratings for hiatal hernia and right ear hearing loss are not sufficient to reflect the severity of his disabilities. The appellant's hiatal hernia is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of symptoms such as dysphagia, hematemesis, or melena. His right ear hearing loss remains at zero percent.
The deciding factor: The appellant’s current ratings do not reflect his reported symptoms and physical findings, particularly regarding his hiatal hernia which lacks the necessary symptomatology for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.
- Claimed conditions
- hiatal hernia, rectal bleeding
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 26, 2000
- Citation
- 0016824
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 0016824.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development of her exposure history and lack of adequate medical opinions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of March 15, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine headaches has been granted at 50 percent. The issue of service connection for hiatal hernia and esophagitis, related to PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective March 12, 2021.
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