The Veteran's GERD is not productive of symptoms warranting a higher, 30 percent rating under either DC 7206 or DC 7346 during the respective appeal periods.,Service connection for left foot hammer toes with pain (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th toes) is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's GERD symptoms were limited to pyrosis that typically lasted several hours and were well-controlled with medication. There was no evidence of considerable impairment of health or dysphagia.,The VA examiner relied solely on the lack of a diagnosis in service and post-service continuity of care, without considering the Veteran's statements regarding the onset and continuity of his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Left foot hammer toes with pain (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th toes)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2026
- Citation
- A26000619
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 A26000619.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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