GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2000

The Board finds a reasonable possibility exists that further examination or development will aid in establishing service connection for visual disability and tension headaches.,There is no reasonable possibility of establishing service connection for memory loss or profuse sweating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness, nor is there any competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of a left ankle, fibula, and tibia fracture; hypertension; irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease; kidney stones; and multiple angiolipomas.

The Board has granted a compensable evaluation for gastroesophageal reflux disease and found service connection for headaches, but denied the claims for fatigue and memory loss as well as chest pain and aching joints and shoulder pain due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with history of ulcerative erosive esophagitis and duodenitis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating due to lack of persistent symptoms such as dysphagia or substernal pain.

The VA granted the veteran's claim for service connection of gastroesophageal reflux disease and assigned a 10 percent disability rating. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the propriety of the initial disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and higher evaluation for his claimed conditions, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder and an increased evaluation for his skin disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects her symptoms and impairment. The other conditions have not been shown to warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as not well-grounded due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking GERD to his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a dislocated right shoulder, multiple upper respiratory problems, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an abnormal 'cardio' test. The decision also noted that the veteran did not submit evidence of PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis, antral gastritis, duodenitis, and irritable bowel syndrome, claimed as a stomach disorder. The claim for residuals of viral gastroenteritis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral elbow disorder, and recurrent urinary tract infection are not well-grounded. The claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no current diagnosis or link to service.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical information regarding his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and GERD with a hiatal hernia, esophagitis, and duodenitis. The decision found that there was no clear evidence of combat stressors related to in-service sexual assault and physical abuse, and thus the veteran could not establish his claim based on secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected disability for bilateral defective hearing or chronic tinnitus. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn) is well-grounded, and the skin disorder of the toenails is considered to be incurred in service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a chronic acquired abdominal disorder to include stomach ulcers and GERD, but finds that these claims are not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for upper respiratory disability and a cracked upper left crown were denied. However, service connection was granted for migraine headaches secondary to a wound of the left temple with a 50% evaluation effective from February 26, 1991, and for chronic photodermatitis with a 10% evaluation effective from September 6, 1995.