The Board denied service connection for a gastroesophageal disability, including GERD, hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus, as well as squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.,Specifically, the VA opinions found no causal relationship between the Veteran's gastroesophageal disability and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's gastroesophageal disability to his military service or to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, as well as no causal relationship between the conditions and smoking.,VA opinions found no support for a connection between the Veteran's gastroesophageal disability and exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal disability, GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder), Hiatal hernia, Barrett's esophagus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23005624
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 23005624.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and dysphagia, finding that there was no documented history of esophageal stricture requiring daily medications to control dysphagia.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's prostate disability. The claims for esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus remain denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's increased rating claim for GERD with Barrett's esophagus should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and regulatory or statutory duties.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and arrhythmia are remanded due to pre-decisional errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions.
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