The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for achalasia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including an updated EGD report. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity of his digestive disabilities.
The deciding factor: The claims file lacks necessary medical records, particularly from the December 2010 EGD procedure and recent weight information, which are essential for determining the current severity of the Veteran's achalasia and GERD. Additionally, the Veteran has indicated worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in October 2010.
- Claimed conditions
- achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2013
- Citation
- 1325703
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 1325703.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.
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