The Veteran's service-connected digestive disorders, including gastric ulcer with gastritis, GERD, and chronic diarrhea, are rated at 30 percent. The Veteran also has a compensable rating for his deviated nasal septum. For the period prior to July 14, 2014, he is entitled to a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus.
The deciding factor: The predominant disability picture associated with the service-connected digestive disorders is best reflected in Diagnostic Code 7319 (IBS), which contemplates episodes of abdominal distress. The Veteran's symptoms include significant abdominal distress and are not completely relieved by medication, warranting a 30 percent rating under this code.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastric Ulcer with Gastritis, GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), Chronic Diarrhea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 4, 2015
- Citation
- 1537985
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 1537985.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected chronic diarrhea is remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2020 examination report, which did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on his condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's IBS and chronic diarrhea are found to be related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater, specifically his exposure to burn pits. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and IBS/GERD were denied as there was no evidence of severe health impairment or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's stomach disability. The VA will obtain an addendum opinion from a gastroenterologist to address whether the Veteran's stomach condition is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water and umbilical hernia repair.
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