The Veteran's service-connected IBS and GERD were rated at 30 percent for the entire increased rating period on appeal, from June 7, 2019. The symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they did not result in material weight loss, hematemesis, melena with moderate anemia or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's GERD and IBS symptoms were not of severity to warrant a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346 due to lack of significant weight loss, hematemesis, or melena with moderate anemia.
- Claimed conditions
- IBS, GERD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2020
- Citation
- A20017960
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,200 · Granted: 43% (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 A20017960.
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 decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion and a need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
A 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, and service connection for hypertension is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted, and the appeal to restore a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc other than IVDS, central canal stenosis, and scoliosis prior to June 1, 2024 is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there is no current diagnosis of IBS or symptoms at any time during the pendency of the claim.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.