The Board found that the Veteran's hiatal hernia did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as it was not manifested by symptoms such as persistent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain.
The deciding factor: The VA examination report did not show the Veteran's hiatal hernia to be manifest by these specific symptoms that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.
- Claimed conditions
- Hiatal Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 11, 2012
- Citation
- 1235153
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1235153.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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An effective date of September 7, 2018 is granted for service connection of PTSD.,A higher initial rating for hiatal hernia prior to May 2, 2017 is denied.,TDIU from September 7, 2018 is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including hiatal hernia and GERD, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Board finds that new evidence has been submitted but does not consider it relevant to the current decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the claims for service connection for splenomegaly, fecal retention, and hiatal hernia.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia to obtain additional medical opinions regarding aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.
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