The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's paraesophageal hernia is currently rated at 80 percent. The Board does not find any basis to grant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran has symptoms of recurrent epigastric distress, but these do not rise to the level of considerable impairment of health required for a 30 percent rating under DC 7346. The Veteran's weight gain and vomiting are inconsistent with severe impairment.,The Veteran was diagnosed with a moderately sized paraesophageal hiatal hernia that allowed passage of liquids only, which is consistent with the current 80 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19179116
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
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- 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.
- 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.
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