Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an increased rating for hiatal hernia with GERD was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection claims for blepharitis, trichiasis, lumbosacral radiculopathy and piriformis syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the right side, and peripheral neuropathy of the left side were also denied.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's conditions manifested to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service or with continuity of symptomatology since service. The Board found no probative evidence supporting any exposure to herbicide agents during service and there was no other medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

Claimed conditions
hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD), blepharitis, trichiasis, right side lumbosacral radiculopathy and piriformis syndrome, left side lumbosacral radiculopathy and piriformis syndrome, right side peripheral neuropathy, left side peripheral neuropathy
How they argued it
Not specified
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
October 7, 2024
Citation
A24063918

Veterans Law Judge

L. STEPANICK

Decisions by this judge: 915 · Granted: 38% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24063918.

What this means for you

A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.

What you can do next

Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.