The veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal condition is rated at 30 percent, but the issues of residuals from surgery to the lungs and pancreas, left elbow injury, right ankle sprain, conjunctivitis (blurred vision), removal of a hyperkeratotic papule on the back, and musculoskeletal chest wall pain are all denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal condition is rated based on its overall impairment equivalent to that found in a hiatal hernia. The other issues were not incurred or aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal condition (hiatal hernia with history of perforation of the anterior esophagus, tightness of the gastroesophageal junction, and gastroesophageal reflux), Residuals of surgery to the lungs and pancreas, Residuals of a left elbow injury, Residuals of a right ankle sprain, Conjunctivitis (blurred vision), Residuals of removal of a hyperkeratotic papule on the back, Musculoskeletal chest wall pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2003
- Citation
- 0327894
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 0327894.
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: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting his claim for TDIU.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant as they do not result in a total and permanent disability to preclude locomotion without aids.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with the timing of his initial appeals for increased ratings on his service-connected left knee and right ankle disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after issuance of a statement of the case.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted initial compensable ratings of 10% for residuals of a right ankle sprain and 20% for Peyronie's disease, effective February 22, 2007.
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