The veteran's traumatic arthrosis of the distal interphalangeal joint with dorsal callous formation and slight hallux valgus deformity, status post fracture of the great left toe was rated at 10 percent prior to August 2, 2007. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and elevated cholesterol were denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's traumatic arthrosis of the distal interphalangeal joint with dorsal callous formation and slight hallux valgus deformity, status post fracture of the great left toe was rated at 10 percent prior to August 2, 2007 due to objective pain and arthritis. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and elevated cholesterol were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthrosis of the distal interphalangeal joint with dorsal callous formation and slight hallux valgus deformity, status post fracture of the great left toe, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Elevated cholesterol
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2009
- Citation
- 0902250
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,464 · Granted: 14% (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 0902250.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.