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 current disorder is less likely related to service or his service-connected major depressive disorder. The VA examiner provided a negative nexus opinion based on medical research studies.
- 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
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, a back disability, heart disability, and residuals of a stroke, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service or caused by his service-connected left ear disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss, service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, and a left eye disorder. However, it granted service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to the back disability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in September 2025, stating that she is now 100% permanently and totally disabled effective April 29, 2025.
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