The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent. The Board has also remanded for further action regarding TDIU prior to January 30, 2018.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD and gastroparesis results in material weight loss, hematemesis, melena with moderate anemia, or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.,The Board found that the Veteran’s back disability more nearly approximates forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to no more than 30 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20028616
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 20028616.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and IBS/GERD were denied as there was no evidence of severe health impairment or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's stomach disability. The VA will obtain an addendum opinion from a gastroenterologist to address whether the Veteran's stomach condition is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water and umbilical hernia repair.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD, previously rated as noncompensable, is now rated at 10 percent effective August 30, 2023. The rating reflects the Veteran's symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and GERD, as it found no evidence of such disabilities in service or related to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. The Board also noted that any current gastrointestinal issues are not linked to service-connected conditions.
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