Service connection for GERD is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to June 11, 2018 is denied and a compensable rating thereafter is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lay statements about the onset and continuation of his GERD symptoms were found credible and probative, leading to the conclusion that GERD manifested during service. For bilateral hearing loss disability, the evidence did not support higher ratings as the audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 11, 2018 or a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20021554
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 20021554.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- 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.
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