The Board denied an initial rating more than 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for GERD, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service or aggravation of a pre-existing condition.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not persuasively weigh in favor of finding that the Veteran's GERD had its onset during active service or was otherwise related to active service, nor was it proximately due to or aggravated by another service-connected disability. For PTSD, while symptoms were present, they did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 70 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder with somatic symptom disorder (PTSD), Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (also claimed as heartburn/gastro reflux)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25039884
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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