The Board finds that there is competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in service and GERD as likely as not had its origin during the Veteran's second period of active military service. The claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis remains pending.
The deciding factor: The Board notes that the Veteran did receive a diagnosis of GERD in service and was prescribed Prevacid (a prescription medication) for treatment of the condition, which is consistent with his testimony at the February 2008 hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. The Board also acknowledges that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing that ulcerative colitis preexisted service or permanently increased in severity during service.
- Claimed conditions
- ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2009
- Citation
- 0929354
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 0929354.
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 Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a colon condition, including as caused by herbicide agent exposure or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection on any basis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and service connection for ulcerative colitis are being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant medical records.
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