The Veteran's service-connected nausea of unclear etiology and unrelated constipation was granted a rating of 10 percent prior to January 21, 2016. Beginning January 21, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected GERD/hiatal hernia with nausea of unclear etiology and unrelated constipation was also granted a rating of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had symptoms consistent with irritable colon syndrome prior to January 21, 2016, which warranted a 10 percent rating. Beginning January 21, 2016, his GERD/hiatal hernia was found to be more nearly approximating two or more symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Nausea of unclear etiology, Unrelated constipation, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20073283
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,738 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20073283.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered a remand due to deficiencies in the October 2020 VA examination report and for additional opinions on the etiology of GERD/hiatal hernia, including whether it is related to service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a failure to provide adequate pre-decisional duty to assist. The issues include gastroesophageal reflux disease, thoracolumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, left wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), left knee disability, right knee disability, and right elbow disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia, left ear hearing loss, and right thumb fracture with residuals. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the current severity of these disabilities and to assess whether they are related to active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's service record and concerns about the reliability of a previous medical opinion.
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