The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease L5/S1 with laminectomy is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of GERD and that it was more likely than not secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease L5/S1 with laminectomy. The claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding its onset in or relation to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Left ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2024
- Citation
- A24079115
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 A24079115.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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