The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, GERD, and his lumbar spine disability were granted. The claim for a gallbladder condition was denied. Service connection for hiatal hernia and hypertension was not established. A rating of 70 percent for the lumbar spine disability is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records showed symptoms consistent with GERD, which he reported since separation from service. The Board found that his current diagnosis of GERD had its onset during active service and granted service connection on a direct basis.
- Claimed conditions
- Gallbladder condition, Sleep apnea, Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), Hiatal hernia, Hypertension, Type II diabetes mellitus, Lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21002747
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 21002747.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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