The Veteran's service connection for GERD was granted, while the claims for a low back disability and increased ratings for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress with bruxism were denied. The rating for the psychiatric condition was increased to 70 percent effective May 10, 2024.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported service connection for GERD as it was caused by the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, but there was insufficient evidence linking the low back disability or the psychiatric symptoms to in-service events. The psychiatric rating increase reflected a more severe level of impairment post May 10, 2024.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Low Back Disability, Unspecified Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress with Bruxism
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- December 3, 2025
- Citation
- A25104091
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,188 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25104091.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to July 29, 2024. The GERD rating remains at 30 percent disabled but no higher.
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