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
- {"condition_name":"Persistent Dysphagia with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Post Hiatal Hernia Surgery"}, {"condition_name":"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)"}, {"condition_name":"Anal Fissure, to include as secondary to PTSD"}, {"condition_name":"Headaches, to include as secondary to 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
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.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right lower extremity sciatica associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine strain, but remanded claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his lung cancer was related to his service-connected melanoma.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for anxiety but denied it for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea was less likely than not related to his active service or service-connected acquired psychiatric condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.
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