The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and heartburn are related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus granted service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's chronic alcohol consumption contributed to both his diagnosed lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, Gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2016
- Citation
- 1609242
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 1609242.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU from February 13, 2014, to July 2, 2023, due to the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for his depressive disorder, left hip disability, right hip disability, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, and hypertension to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee arthritis and multiple foot and hip conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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