The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed, but no rating or effective date is assigned.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) were not shown during service or within one year after service, and there is no evidence relating these conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 2, 2016
- Citation
- 1645324
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 1645324.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent since May 2023. The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for the condition, effective from May 19, 2024.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
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