The Board granted a 30 percent rating for GERD with hiatal hernia and a 40 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), but remanded the claims for service connection for insomnia and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. For the right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), the evidence showed reduced muscle strength, hypoactive DTRs, a positive left straight leg raise, instability, falls or near falls, and use assistive devices for stability and ambulation.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia, Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Insomnia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25022151
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