The Board found no evidence of a low back disability in service or for many years thereafter, and the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service.,There was also no evidence linking the Veteran's GERD to his active service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's GERD is not related to any service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs do not show a low back disability and there is no medical evidence establishing a link between his current low back disability and his military service.,Regarding GERD, the Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic gastrointestinal disability in service or for many years thereafter. There was also no medical evidence linking his current GERD to his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disability, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 5, 2014
- Citation
- 1453708
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 1453708.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to July 29, 2024. The GERD rating remains at 30 percent disabled but no higher.
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