The veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from April 1997. The other issues are resolved in the veteran's favor.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the veteran's GERD was incurred during his military service and assigned a 10% rating for sinusitis based on three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year. For low back degenerative joint disease, the Board found that the veteran experienced mild symptoms but did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of incapacitating episodes or severe intervertebral disc syndrome. The major depression was rated at 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Sinusitis, Low back degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, Major depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 2, 2006
- Citation
- 0630962
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 0630962.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also denied a compensable rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, non allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while granting service connection for left knee strain and left leg shin splints.
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