The Veteran's initial rating for a gastrointestinal disorder remains at 60 percent, and the Board denied requests for earlier effective dates or higher ratings. The Veteran is currently in receipt of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 16, 2011, and thus earlier effective dates were denied. The current rating is appropriate given the severity of his gastrointestinal disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- gastritis, perforated duodenum with jejunal diverticulum and diverticulitis (gastrointestinal disorder), psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- August 27, 2024
- Citation
- A24050249
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 A24050249.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding the diagnosis of gastritis and its relation to service. The Veteran needs to provide records, and a VA examiner will review his medical history and determine if gastritis is related to his military service or any other conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's gastritis and esophageal stricture are granted as service-connected.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and remanded the secondary service connection claims for GERD, hypertension, sleep apnea, gastritis, headaches, and fatigue as secondary to CAN.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.