The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for an umbilical hernia, a rating of 30 percent for GERD, and service connection for scars associated with in-service Heller myotomy and pyloroplasty. The umbilical hernia was rated as noncompensable due to its small size and ease of reduction. The GERD was rated at 10 percent based on persistent symptoms but not meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The scars were denied service connection as they did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Board found that none of the conditions met the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied all claims.
- Claimed conditions
- umbilical hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), scars associated with in-service Heller myotomy and pyloroplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- March 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19121109
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,036 · Granted: 27% (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 19121109.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.
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