The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected hiatal hernia, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on symptoms such as persistent recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of considerable impairment of health or worse due to the Veteran's hiatal hernia, which was characterized by recurring but not constant symptoms lasting less than a day at a time.
- Claimed conditions
- hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19148292
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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The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, hiatal hernia, COPD, and prostate cancer as a result of toxic exposure during the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for GERD and hiatal hernia, effective March 31, 2020, but denied an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, varicose veins of the right lower extremity, and varicose veins of the left lower extremity as there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for diverticulosis, GERD, and hiatal hernia as the evidence did not show a link to an in-service disease or injury.
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