The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, adenocarcinoma of the palate, tongue and salivary gland, digestive system deficiency to include GERD and requirement for nasogastric tube, and hypothyroidism have all been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a separate compensable rating for adenocarcinoma beyond April 1, 2004, as there was no recurrence or metastasis of the cancer. An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for digestive system deficiency has been granted, but the Veteran's hypothyroidism remains at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and the Veteran did not have adenocarcinoma with local recurrence or metastasis. The Veteran’s digestive system condition is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, which aligns with the severity of his symptoms (passage of liquids only). His hypothyroidism remains at 10 percent due to lack of myxedema.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder, Adenocarcinoma of the palate, tongue and salivary gland, Digestive system deficiency to include GERD and requirement for nasogastric tube, Hypothyroidism
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20061060
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 20061060.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether injuries sustained in a November 2001 incident were in the line of duty. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded due to its interdependence with the line of duty issue.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain private treatment records from the Veteran's treating clinician.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 13, 2018, for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Veteran also meets the schedular criteria for entitlement to TDIU prior to June 1, 2023.
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.