The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for this grant is set at December 16, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease remains pending as there is no clear rule that would allow a retroactive effective date prior to the date of his formal claim under FDC rules.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence has been submitted, but it does not provide a direct link between GERD and service. The Board must now determine if this new evidence is sufficient to reopen the claim.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease remains pending as there are no clear rules that would allow a retroactive effective date prior to the date of his formal claim under FDC rules.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Coronary artery disease, Acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2018
- Citation
- 18140987
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 18140987.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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