The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted. The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for retroorbital headache with diplopia is denied. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hypertension to include chronic kidney disease stage 3 is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's GERD was etiologically linked to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and various nerve disabilities. The Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Retroorbital headache with diplopia, Hypertension to include chronic kidney disease stage 3
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 20, 2026
- Citation
- A26025302
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 A26025302.
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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