The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period, but a higher rating is denied.,For the right shoulder condition, a 20 percent initial rating was granted effective August 11, 2020. A higher rating is denied prior to that date and from August 11, 2020 onwards.,The Veteran's right knee condition does not warrant an increased evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease does not warrant a higher initial evaluation.

The deciding factor: The GERD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are infrequent and do not include substernal or arm/shoulder pain, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.,The right shoulder condition results in limitation of motion at the shoulder level, warranting a 20 percent initial evaluation effective August 11, 2020. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating as they are limited to pain and no additional loss of range of motion is noted.,The right knee condition does not result in any impairment that would warrant an increased evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The right ankle degenerative joint disease results in moderate impairment, but does not meet criteria for a higher initial evaluation as it does not include ankylosis or malunion of the os calcis or astralgus.

Claimed conditions

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Right Shoulder Condition, Right Knee Condition, Right Ankle Degenerative Joint Disease

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

10%

Decision date

January 21, 2021

Citation

21003423

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 21003423.