The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities of pancreatitis, GERD with hiatal hernia, and IBS as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not impact his ability to work, while another physician assistant noted discomfort but concluded it would not significantly impair his employability. The Board determined there was no evidence of significant disability due to these conditions affecting employability.
- Claimed conditions
- Pancreatitis, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2024
- Citation
- 24001901
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, non allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while granting service connection for left knee strain and left leg shin splints.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome, but granted separate initial 10 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity restless leg syndrome associated with sciatic radiculopathy. The claims for increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied, as were the claims for higher ratings for knee conditions and IBS.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for facial numbness and pulmonary nodules, but denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The decision also denied an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome and a compensable rating for chronic sinusitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and denied an earlier effective date. The claims for service connection for various conditions were remanded.
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