The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, an increased rating for postoperative HNP of the lumbar spine, and a higher rating for dislocation of the left shoulder. The claim for left chest pain due to cardiovascular procedure was not addressed as it did not involve service connection.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the presence or worsening of GERD during or after service, and there was no medical evidence showing that the veteran's current back disability met the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5293. The VA examinations provided sufficient information to determine that the veteran's symptoms were adequately addressed by the current 40 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), Postoperative herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) of the lumbar spine, Dislocation left shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 29, 2001
- Citation
- 0102459
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 0102459.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Granted
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
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