The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is considered to have been present at the time of his entrance into service, but it increased in severity during service. Service connection was granted based on a finding that the increase in severity was not due to natural progression.,The Board also granted service connection for GERD. The current diagnosis of GERD is related to an in-service injury or illness, as evidenced by complaints and treatment prior to separation from service.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted based on the presumption that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis existed before service but increased during service due to a pre-existing condition. The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation beyond natural progression.,Service connection for GERD was granted because there is at least equipoise evidence showing that the current diagnosis is related to an in-service injury or illness, specifically complaints and treatment prior to separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2023
- Citation
- 23063237
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 23063237.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.
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