The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his gastrointestinal disabilities are at least as likely as not related to service-connected PTSD. The case is remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the gastrointestinal disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD in-service and during treatment, and credible evidence supports this diagnosis. His gastrointestinal disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Acid reflux, Hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1648468
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 1648468.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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