The appeal regarding the rating reduction proposal for GERD was dismissed, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.
The deciding factor: The proposed rating reduction for GERD did not constitute a final decision on the merits, while the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- GERD, Insomnia, Low back spondylosis, Tinnitus, Shin splints, Left wrist disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25054893
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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 bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of jurisdiction.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.