The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 10 percent rating prior to March 5, 2012 and a 30 percent rating from that date forward. The left ankle condition and metatarsalgia are remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports the increased ratings for GERD based on persistent symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, and substernal pain. For the left foot conditions, additional information is needed to determine if they are related to service-connected metatarsalgia or if there is aggravation of these conditions by the service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Arthritis of the left ankle, Left foot metatarsalgia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18158327
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 18158327.
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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