The Board denied service connection for Barrett’s esophagus, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: There is no competent or credible evidence showing that the Veteran experienced an in-service esophageal related disability or complaints of one. The first mention of Barrett’s esophagus was following a diagnosis of GERD, which occurred over 40 years post service.
- Claimed conditions
- Barrett’s esophagus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19162906
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,569 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19162906.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for GERD and Barrett’s esophagus, as well as hypertension, due to insufficient development of evidence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for Barrett’s esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to exposure to herbicide agents, as these conditions are not among the diseases presumed to be associated with such exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD and Barrett’s esophagus is currently rated at 30 percent, but he asserts entitlement to a higher rating. The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of esophageal disorders, including Barrett’s esophagus, dysphasia, and esophageal stricture. The examiner must address relevant STRs, April 2019 VA examination diagnosis, the Veteran's lay statements, and testimony from his Board hearing.
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