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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, as it is related to his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and less probative due to its failure to provide a direct service connection opinion or an aggravation opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hypertension and somatic symptom disorder are denied. The Board has remanded the claims for cardiovascular, peripheral artery disease, and lung cancer with emphysema.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for right shoulder disability. The Veteran's appeal is currently under review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for hypertension (HTN) and has remanded the issues of service connection for cardiomegaly and hypertensive heart disease.
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