The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD prior to March 9, 2017 was granted. From March 9, 2017 onwards, the claim was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 60% rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's GERD symptoms prior to March 9, 2017 more closely approximated the criteria for a 30% rating (persistent recurrent epigastric distress with symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health). From March 9, 2017 onwards, his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 60% rating as he did not experience severe impairment of health.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, Radiculopathy of left and right lower extremities, Limited flexion of left knee chondromalacia, Limited flexion of right knee chondromalacia, Limited extension of left knee chondromalacia, Limited extension of right knee chondromalacia, Right shoulder acromioclavicular arthrosis, Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19179212
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,421 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19179212.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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