The Veteran's GERD was not characterized by symptoms of material weight loss, hematemesis, or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health. Therefore, the Veteran is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 31, 2024 and denied for a rating in excess of 30 percent after that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's GERD symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings as they were not characterized by material weight loss, hematemesis, or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2026
- Citation
- 26002035
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 26002035.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS, as it is unclear whether his condition was incurred during service or if it is related to his service-connected GERD.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 10 percent rating, but the issue of higher initial ratings for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain records from Bassett Army Community Hospital and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital related to the Veteran's GERD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The appeal as to entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed.,Service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood prior to February 5, 2023, is granted. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.,Service connection for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. The Veteran's GERD had its onset during service.,An initial 20 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,An initial 10 percent rating for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,A separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability is granted. The Veteran has experienced symptoms most nearly approximating moderate right knee instability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and GERD due to a lack of VA examination and inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's exposure during service in Kuwait is considered, but further development is needed.
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