The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his persistent dysphagia with GERD, post hiatal hernia surgery. The issues of service connection for PTSD, anal fissure (secondary to PTSD), and headaches (secondary to PTSD) were also addressed in this decision.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms more closely approximated those listed in the 30 percent criteria of Diagnostic Code 7346, applicable to status post hiatal hernia disorders such as his gastrointestinal disorder. He was not entitled to a higher rating under any other potentially applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Anal Fissure, to include as secondary to PTSD, Headaches, to include as secondary to PTSD, Persistent Dysphagia with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Post Hiatal Hernia Surgery, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2006
- Citation
- 0629445
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,642 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0629445.
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The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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