The Veteran's Barrett's esophagitis and GERD were granted service connection as they developed during his military service. However, the Veteran's supraventricular arrhythmia, implanted cardiac pacemaker, and sick sinus syndrome were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to toxic exposure during service, and instead identified other risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking history as more likely responsible for his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Barrett's esophagitis, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Supraventricular arrhythmia, Implanted cardiac pacemaker, Sick sinus syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2026
- Citation
- A26022078
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 A26022078.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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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