The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach pain, PTSD, and migraines have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for migraines has also been denied. The initial 10 percent disability rating for GERD prior to May 14, 2007 is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the presence of distinct stomach pain or PTSD separate from service-connected conditions, and the Veteran's migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.
- Claimed conditions
- stomach pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), migraines, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20003784
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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