The Veteran's liver function test abnormalities are not service-connected. The initial rating for GERD is granted at 10%. For the lumbar strain with history of arthritis, a 20% rating is granted prior to May 12, 2014 and denied thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's liver function test abnormalities are not service-connected as there is no evidence of an underlying liver disorder. The GERD has been rated at the maximum available benefit (10%) based on symptoms such as reflux and sleep disturbances. For the lumbar strain with history of arthritis, a higher rating is denied as the criteria for a 40% rating are not met.
- Claimed conditions
- Liver Function Test Abnormalities, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2018
- Citation
- 1808852
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 1808852.
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 acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to July 29, 2024. The GERD rating remains at 30 percent disabled but no higher.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's IBS with GERD was granted an initial 60 percent rating. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and development.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected IBS and GERD, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
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