The veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities, including hiatal hernia, GERD, duodenal ulcer in remission, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic colitis, have been evaluated at a 40 percent rating since May 16, 1991. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of this rating.
The deciding factor: The veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities are primarily manifested by abdominal distress, occasional vomiting, dysphagia, and diarrhea without significant weight loss or anemia, which do not warrant a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- hiatal hernia, GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder), duodenal ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic colitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 16, 2001
- Citation
- 0118405
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 0118405.
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 service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headache disorder, erectile dysfunction, left earache disorder, chronic fatigue, right shoulder disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, right foot disorder, GERD, and left shoulder disorder, as the evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, hiatal hernia, COPD, and prostate cancer as a result of toxic exposure during the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 13, 2024 for a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition.
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