The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for GERD was denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding whether he experiences characteristic prostrating attacks of headache pain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s GERD was rated by analogy under Diagnostic Codes 7399-7346, which are appropriate because they reference both the location and symptoms of his condition. The Board found that the Veteran's GERD did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation due to lack of substernal or arm/shoulder pain.,The Veteran’s migraine headaches were rated under Diagnostic Code 8100, which requires consideration of characteristic prostrating attacks and severe economic inadaptability. The Board found conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran experiences these symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21021207
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 21021207.
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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