The Veteran's hiatal hernias are not productive of a severe impairment of health, and his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been rated at various levels since the claims period. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.,For the period prior to July 28, 2009, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent; between July 28, 2009 and November 12, 2012, it was rated at 20 percent; and after November 12, 2012, it was rated at 40 percent. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hiatal hernias are rated based on their severity, which is currently at 10 percent. For the period of his lumbar spine disability, he has been rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, with a maximum rating of 40 percent after November 12, 2012. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Hiatal Hernia, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1712795
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 1712795.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
An effective date of September 7, 2018 is granted for service connection of PTSD.,A higher initial rating for hiatal hernia prior to May 2, 2017 is denied.,TDIU from September 7, 2018 is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including hiatal hernia and GERD, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Board finds that new evidence has been submitted but does not consider it relevant to the current decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The claims for increased ratings of lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the claims for service connection for splenomegaly, fecal retention, and hiatal hernia.
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