The Veteran's GERD with esophagitis is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service, as well as the potential impact of her TERA exposure.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not address whether the Veteran's current GERD with esophagitis was caused by or aggravated by her service-connected cholecystectomy and ERCP sphincterotomy and peritoneal adhesions, nor did they provide an opinion regarding its onset during service or due to TERA exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with esophagitis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2026
- Citation
- A26021567
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 A26021567.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD with esophagitis is rated at a 30 percent initial rating, effective from the date of the January 2023 rating decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD was granted a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for GERD with esophagitis, patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees, and residuals of osteoplasty have been withdrawn. The application to reopen her claim of service connection for breast cancer residuals has been granted, as well as her claim of service connection for IBS.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD with esophagitis is granted an increased rating of 30 percent, effective January 7, 2013. The symptoms include persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.