The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied because the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic headache disability during active service, and the current disorder is less likely related to service or his service-connected major depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s GERD condition existed prior to service and did not worsen during service. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely as not that the Veteran's current GERD diagnosis was aggravated beyond its natural progression by service.,There is no evidence of a chronic headache disability during active service, and the VA examiner provided a negative nexus opinion stating the Veteran’s headache disorder was less likely than not related to service or his service-connected major depressive disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19143668
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,738 · Granted: 17% (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 19143668.
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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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