The Veteran's GERD, Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, Chronic, Left Heel Stress Fracture, and Right Heel Stress Fracture have been granted service connection effective January 26, 2022. The initial disability evaluation for GERD is 70 percent, the initial disability evaluations for both heel stress fractures are 20 percent, and a TDIU based on adjustment disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, Chronic has also been established.,An effective date of January 26, 2022 has been granted for all service-connected conditions. The Veteran's GERD is rated at the maximum available rating (70 percent), while both heel stress fractures are rated at the minimum available rating (20 percent). A TDIU based on adjustment disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, Chronic has also been established.
The deciding factor: The effective date of January 26, 2022 is granted as this was the date of receipt of a complete claim for service connection for all conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, Chronic, Left Heel Stress Fracture, Right Heel Stress Fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 30, 2026
- Citation
- A26028344
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 A26028344.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and IBS/GERD were denied as there was no evidence of severe health impairment or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's stomach disability. The VA will obtain an addendum opinion from a gastroenterologist to address whether the Veteran's stomach condition is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water and umbilical hernia repair.
- Granted
The Veteran's GERD, previously rated as noncompensable, is now rated at 10 percent effective August 30, 2023. The rating reflects the Veteran's symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, Chronic, and PTSD. The claims are being remanded to allow for readjudication on their merits.
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