The Board denied service connection for somatic symptom disorder, respiratory disorders (including COPD), nephrolithiasis, deviated nasal septum, and higher initial disability ratings for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and GERD, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of somatic symptom disorder or any connection between the claimed conditions and service. The Veteran's psychiatric condition was rated as 70 percent disabling for the period on appeal, and there were no symptoms productive of considerable or severe impairment of health for his GERD-related conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- somatic symptom disorder, respiratory disorder (COPD), nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), deviated nasal septum, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2025
- Citation
- A25111367
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