The Board has granted service connection for hiatal hernia as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome and increased the rating for irritable bowel syndrome with history of gastrointestinal disorder characterized by spasm and irregularity of duodenal bulb from 10% to 30%. The veteran's claim is denied in all other respects.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding that the hiatal hernia was incurred in service, but it has been granted as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome. The increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome with history of gastrointestinal disorder characterized by spasm and irregularity of duodenal bulb is granted based on the severity of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Hiatal Hernia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome with history of gastrointestinal disorder characterized by spasm and irregularity of duodenal bulb
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 2, 2002
- Citation
- 0213516
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 0213516.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the claims for service connection for splenomegaly, fecal retention, and hiatal hernia.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia to obtain additional medical opinions regarding aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 60 percent rating for chronic cholecystitis to include GERD with hiatal hernia from February 1, 2024 to May 18, 2024 and an 80 percent rating for the same condition beginning May 19, 2024. The claim for a separate rating for GERD was denied before May 19, 2024.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a VA esophageal examination to determine the relationship between the diagnosed GERD and hiatal hernia and active service, including exposure to burn pits.
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