The Veteran's esophageal web is rated at a separate 30 percent effective July 17, 2013. The gastrointestinal disability prior to September 4, 2013 is rated at 10 percent; from July 17, 2013 to September 4, 2013 is rated at 30 percent; and beginning September 4, 2013 is not entitled to a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's esophageal web was found to be moderate in severity and therefore warrants a separate 30 percent rating under the appropriate diagnostic code. The gastrointestinal disability prior to September 4, 2013 did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to less severe symptoms compared to those after that date.
- Claimed conditions
- esophageal web, gastrointestinal disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19111231
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,726 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19111231.
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 Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a gastrointestinal disability due to procedural issues and will consider any additional evidence provided by the RO.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will consider whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is related to his service or service-connected PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for gastrointestinal disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to deficiencies in the VA medical opinions provided. The appellant's lay statements will be considered along with the existing evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability may be related to service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. However, a VA examination is needed to establish this relationship and correct any duty-to-assist error.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.