The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a trauma and stressor related disorder, and associated depression is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to service-connected mental disabilities is granted.,Service connection for hemorrhoids secondary to service-connected GERD is granted.,Heart disability and polyps are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, which is related to his in-service stressors including exposure to mortar attacks. The VA examiners' opinions support this finding.,VA examiner indicated that GERD is caused and aggravated by service-connected mental disabilities.,VA examiner indicated that hemorrhoids are caused and aggravated by GERD.,The evidence does not provide sufficient information for a definitive opinion regarding the Veteran's heart disability or polyps.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder other than an anxiety disorder to include PTSD, a trauma and stressor related disorder, and associated depression, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Hemorrhoids, Heart disability, Polyps
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18156132
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 18156132.
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.
- 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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