The Board denied service connection for a gastric disorder and respiratory disorder, but granted an initial disability rating of 70% for PTSD. The Veteran was also awarded TDIU from December 15, 2015, and SMC at the housebound rate effective March 9, 2016.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current esophageal, gastric, and colonic pathology did not have its onset during service and were less likely than not to have been permanently aggravated by military service or potential herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- gastric disorder, respiratory disorder (COPD and bronchitis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19119381
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 19119381.
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.
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- Granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches based on prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month and severe economic inadaptability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
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