The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome was dismissed. The claim for service connection for migraine headaches, secondary to previously service-connected tinnitus and peripheral vestibular disorder, is granted with a rating of 10 percent. The claim for a higher rating for peripheral vestibular disorder remains at noncompensable (zero percent).
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the increased evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome during the hearing. His migraine headaches were found to be aggravated by previously service-connected tinnitus and peripheral vestibular disorder, warranting a grant of secondary service connection with a rating of 10 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, peripheral vestibular disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 16, 2026
- Citation
- A26035428
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 A26035428.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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 Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between service, including a stick injury in England, and current left eye disability (including amblyopia and cataracts) as well as migraine headaches.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
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