The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the August 2022 AOJ supplemental claim decision on appeal, but any evidence submitted after that date will be considered by the AOJ.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were not properly addressed due to a lack of authorization for relevant private treatment records related to his GERD and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis. The Board finds this duty to assist error and remands the cases to obtain these records.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24083331
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 A24083331.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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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