The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected mullerian duct cyst and a 30% disability rating for gastroesophageal stricture with reflux and hiatal hernia (claimed as dysphagia) was granted. The effective dates are set at November 26, 1997, for the mullerian duct cyst and April 10, 1997, for the gastrointestinal disorder.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was based on new evidence that established his disability existed prior to the original grant of service connection in 1978. The RO granted service connection for mullerian duct cyst and assigned a 30% disability rating for gastroesophageal stricture with reflux and hiatal hernia (claimed as dysphagia) effective November 26, 1997.
- Claimed conditions
- mullerian duct cyst, esophageal hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 26, 2002
- Citation
- 0201835
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 0201835.
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 case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for shortness of breath and earlier effective date for esophageal hiatal hernia.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a gastrointestinal disorder, including a hiatal hernia, to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected esophageal hiatal hernia, post-operative with abdominal scar, is manifested by dysphagia, reflux, vomiting, and some shoulder pain. The Board finds a 10 percent evaluation for the entire appeal period.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's esophageal hiatal hernia was aggravated by service, and thus service connection is granted.
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