The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.M., including diagnostic studies cited in his opinion, and to provide a complete medical opinion regarding the etiology of his GERD.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner needs to review the Veteran's private provider's statements and clinical records to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support the claim for service connection based on exposure to burn pits during deployment.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 13, 2021
- Citation
- A21019751
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 A21019751.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent since May 2023. The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for the condition, effective from May 19, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of sinusitis is dismissed. The appeals for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and migraine disability are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is being remanded due to an error in the AOJ decision and a need for a hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's GI disorder is related to his service, but the AOJ needs to determine which specific deployment or exposure caused it. The PACT Act requires this determination.
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