The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and an increased rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service, nor did it show that the medications he took for other service-connected conditions caused his depressive disorder or hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder. The symptoms of the Veteran’s hiatal hernia were found to be less severe than those required for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive disorder, Hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19150441
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 Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to properly evaluate the current severity of her disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent disability rating from April 27, 2020 to August 15, 2022, and a TDIU was also granted.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of July 14, 2020, for the grant of service connection for IVDS with spinal fusion and lumbar disc disease with stenosis, as well as associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves of the left and right lower extremities, and depressive disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to verify periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA from 1998 to 2006 and to obtain a new VA examination.
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