The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, a higher rating for his low back disability, and a higher rating for his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The claim for TDIU was also denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish a link between GERD and active service, nor did it support the Veteran's contention of continuity of symptoms since discharge from service. The Board found insufficient evidence to grant higher ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1644969
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 1644969.
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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