The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disorder, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and ocular hypertensive disorder. The veteran's cervical spine condition is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, while his hiatal hernia and ocular hypertensive disorder are each rated at the minimum compensable rating of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes for these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative and osteoarthritic changes of the cervical spine, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, diverticulosis, and diverticulitis, ocular hypertensive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 11, 2006
- Citation
- 0628631
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 0628631.
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 diverticulosis, GERD, and hiatal hernia as the evidence did not show a link to an in-service disease or injury.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 19, 2023 for the grants of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for other conditions were remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims for further development.
- Dismissed
The appeals concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions and a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance are dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
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