The veteran's hiatal hernia with esophagitis and duodenitis was granted a 60 percent rating effective from the date following discharge. The lumbosacral strain with L4 spondylosis received a 20 percent rating, also effective from the date following discharge. The hypertension (HTN) was granted an increased rating to 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's hiatal hernia symptoms warranted a higher rating due to persistent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain. The lumbosacral strain was rated based on characteristic pain on motion and muscle spasm in the standing position. Hypertension received an increased rating as it is a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Hiatal Hernia with esophagitis and duodenitis, Lumbosacral strain with L4 spondylosis, Hypertension (HTN)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2000
- Citation
- 0020346
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 0020346.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than other trauma and stressor-related disorder and hypertension (HTN) as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Denied
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, both secondary to tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure with ICD placement, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, tinnitus, sinus tachycardia, and cardiomyopathy. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.
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