The Veteran's 30 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis and hiatal hernia is restored. The Board found that the reduction was not proper as there was no evidence of an actual improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not show an actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under the ordinary conditions of life and work due to his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis and hiatal hernia.
- Claimed conditions
- gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis and hiatal hernia, cervical spine stenosis with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, lumbar spine stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21005138
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 21005138.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine stenosis was withdrawn by the Veteran, and the appeal is dismissed.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private podiatry records. The Veteran's right foot disability is being considered as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine stenosis and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).
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