The Board finds that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, did not have its onset during active service. The current gastrointestinal disability was also not caused or permanently worsened by the use of prescription medications for his service-connected left knee and back disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is less likely than not caused by the prescription medications he took to treat his service-connected left knee and back disabilities, given the absence of a history of gastrointestinal symptoms during active service and the current lack of treatment for the condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2015
- Citation
- 1518533
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 1518533.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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