The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD, hiatal hernia, and residuals of a hernia repair, are being reviewed again as there is not enough information on their onset or connection to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current medical opinions were inadequate due to improper credibility determinations regarding the Veteran’s lay statements and reliance on the absence of contemporaneous medical evidence. The Board also noted deficiencies in addressing the continuity of symptoms between service and post-service periods, as well as potential etiologies such as pregnancy.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Hiatal hernia, Residuals of a hernia repair
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21009052
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 21009052.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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