Service connection is denied for a heart condition. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected. The stomach disorder, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as sleep problems) are not currently service-connected but are being remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's heart murmur and heart disability were not incurred or aggravated by service due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service. The hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected based on continuity of symptoms since service. The stomach disorder, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as sleep problems) require further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Heart Murmur, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Acquired Psychiatric Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19156624
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 19156624.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to July 29, 2024. The GERD rating remains at 30 percent disabled but no higher.
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