The Board found that the veteran's duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his disability was not moderately severe or persistently recurrent with dysphagia, pyrosis, and considerable impairment of health.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no evidence of current moderate to severely disabling symptoms that would warrant an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- duodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 5, 2003
- Citation
- 0308443
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 0308443.
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 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 a rating of 60 percent from January 27, 2016 to July 7, 2022 for the Veteran's duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for GERD and hiatal hernia, effective March 31, 2020, but denied an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hiatal hernia but denied it for obstructive sleep apnea.
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