The Board finds that service connection for a GI disorder, to include GERD, is warranted as the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's GI disability, to include GERD, is related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has met the current disability requirement and provided credible testimony regarding his in-service heartburn symptoms. The private physician provided a positive nexus opinion based on the review of the claims file and the Veteran's history of irregular meals and stress operating on ships, as well as his diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus.
- Claimed conditions
- GI disorder, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Hearing loss, Sinusitis, Lung disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1624555
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1624555.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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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