The Board found that the Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The left knee post-traumatic patella femoral pain syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since December 31, 2007.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD and his in-service symptoms or medications for his left knee disability. The VA examinations found no nexus between the service-connected left knee disability and the current hiatal hernia with GERD.
- Claimed conditions
- Hiatal Hernia with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Left Knee Post-Traumatic Patella Femoral Pain Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1801301
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1801301.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from July 28, 2024, but denied a higher rating. The Board also denied an increased rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a 60 percent disability rating from September 12, 2022, for hiatal hernia with GERD. The appeal was denied for hypertension.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease are rated at a maximum of 60 percent from March 29, 2021.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his service-connected PTSD prior to December 10, 2019; right foot fifth metatarsal fracture; hiatal hernia with GERD; erectile dysfunction; and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for additional opinions regarding the relationship between his nonservice-connected psychiatric disabilities and his service-connected PTSD.
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