The Veteran's service-connected GERD and sliding hiatal hernia with chronic constipation are granted an increased disability rating of 60 percent, effective July 19, 2013. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected GERD and sliding hiatal hernia with chronic constipation were found to cause severe impairment of health as per the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7346, which includes symptoms such as swallowing difficulty, heartburn, pain beginning in 1994, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, reflux, heartburn, dysphagia pyrosis, regurgitation, substernal pain, all of which cause sleep difficulty and distract from occupational tasks.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Sliding hiatal hernia with chronic constipation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- July 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22041133
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 22041133.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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