The Veteran's GERD has been rated as 10 percent disabling since service connection was granted. The back disability, prior to October 11, 2011, has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent. Since October 11, 2011, the back disability warrants a 40 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's GERD manifests with heartburn, reflux, abdominal pain, and nausea, which satisfy the criteria for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346. The back disability prior to October 11, 2011, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent due to limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine and combined range of motion. Since October 11, 2011, the Veteran's back disability has resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 20 degrees with consideration of painful motion and other factors, warranting a 40 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Low back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2014
- Citation
- 1435280
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 1435280.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- 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.
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