The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, right hip disability, foot plantar fasciitis, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been dismissed as the issues were not properly adjudicated in the initial decision.
The deciding factor: The November 2024 rating decision deferred adjudication of the issue of entitlement to service connection for GERD, which did not constitute a final, appealable decision. The Veteran's claims for right hip disability and foot plantar fasciitis were granted with effective dates prior to the date of the Notice of Disagreement.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Status post right hip surgery, Right foot plantar fasciitis, Left foot plantar fasciitis, Erectile dysfunction, Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26031243
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 A26031243.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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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