Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted as a qualifying chronic disability due to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Gulf War.,Service connection for internal and external hemorrhoids is denied because there was no anal or rectal injury or disease during service, and current hemorrhoids are not etiologically related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's GERD is a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness that manifested after active service and is on the list of presumptively service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Internal and external hemorrhoids, Psoriasis
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23045739
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 23045739.
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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