The Board found that the veteran's chest pain and acid reflux were not caused by the balloon dilatations performed at a VA medical facility in October and December 1992, but decided to extend the benefit of doubt to the veteran, granting compensation benefits.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that while the balloon dilatations likely worsened the veteran's achalasia, they were not the direct cause of his current symptoms of chest pain and acid reflux.
- Claimed conditions
- distal esophagus damage, chest pain, acid reflux
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2006
- Citation
- 0637262
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 0637262.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for chest pain, a gastrointestinal disability, a neck disability, and a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran was also denied a compensable rating for iliotibial band syndrome of the right hip and for right hip limitation of extension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal was remanded for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, back pain, tuberculosis (TB), and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus was also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for shortness of breath and chest pain due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.
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