The Veteran's claim for separate compensable ratings for Hepatitis B and GERD, as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent for Hepatitis B with GERD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant higher ratings under either diagnostic code.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show fatigue with malaise and anorexia, weight loss, or hepatomegaly, which would support a higher rating under DC 7345 for Hepatitis B. For GERD, there was no frequent attacks of abdominal pain, loss of normal body weight, or pancreatic insufficiency between acute attacks, which would warrant a higher rating under DC 7346.
- Claimed conditions
- Hepatitis B, Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2024
- Citation
- A24014448
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 A24014448.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent since May 2023. The Board has granted an initial rating of 60 percent for the condition, effective from May 19, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of sinusitis is dismissed. The appeals for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and migraine disability are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the reduction of his hepatitis B rating from 20% to 0% was upheld. Service connection was not established for diabetes, left knee arthritis, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea. Bilateral hearing loss was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is being remanded due to an error in the AOJ decision and a need for a hearing.
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