The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for stuttering, an increased rating for his anxiety reaction with maturation of paranoid schizophrenia, and a compensable rating for reflux esophagitis. The veteran's stuttering was found to be not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected psychiatric disability. His anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling. His reflux esophagitis is rated at zero percent.
The deciding factor: The November 1998 VA examination did not find any medical nexus between the veteran's stuttering and his service-connected psychiatric disability, thus denying service connection for stuttering. The Board also found that the veteran's anxiety disorder was not aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability. For reflux esophagitis, the evidence showed only subjective complaints without definitive X-ray findings or ulcerations/erosions.
- Claimed conditions
- stuttering, anxiety reaction with maturation of paranoid schizophrenia, reflux esophagitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2001
- Citation
- 0119106
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0119106.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's GERD, esophageal stricture, and reflux esophagitis are less likely related to service due to a negative VA opinion. However, the Veteran contends his condition is related to exposure to burn pits during Southwest Asia operations. The Board also notes there is conflicting evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's alcohol use disorder. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further examination and analysis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for an increased rating for reflux esophagitis with mild chronic gastritis and bleeding ulcer was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for revision of the evaluation of hiatal hernia, with gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux esophagitis, and ineffective esophageal peristalsis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, diverticulosis and benign neoplasm rectosigmoid junction, GERD and reflux esophagitis, right knee disability, and left knee disability to cure errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist.
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