The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10 percent, and the abdominal scar is rated at zero percent. The Board denied an increased rating for both conditions.,Service connection was denied for an incisional hernia, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound rate was also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346 due to lack of symptoms such as dysphagia, substernal pain, arm pain, and hematemesis. The abdominal scar is rated at zero percent because it does not meet the requirements for a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Hiatal Hernia with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Abdominal Scar, Status Post Hiatal Hernia Repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20032811
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 20032811.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from July 28, 2024, but denied a higher rating. The Board also denied an increased rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a 60 percent disability rating from September 12, 2022, for hiatal hernia with GERD. The appeal was denied for hypertension.
- Granted
The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease are rated at a maximum of 60 percent from March 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his service-connected PTSD prior to December 10, 2019; right foot fifth metatarsal fracture; hiatal hernia with GERD; erectile dysfunction; and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for additional opinions regarding the relationship between his nonservice-connected psychiatric disabilities and his service-connected PTSD.
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