GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link between any such disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded, but have not been substantiated. The veteran does not currently have liver disease or a stomach disorder including hiatal hernia and GI condition. His other conditions do not appear to be related to his military service.

The Board determined that the veteran did not file a timely appeal for the 10 percent rating and effective date assigned in the March 1996 RO rating decision.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a vagotomy with pyloroplasty and gastroesophageal reflux, as well as his claim for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's neurological manifestations of neurofibromatosis are rated at 60 percent prior to March 6, 1997 and at 40 percent since then. The gastrointestinal manifestations are rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings are not well grounded, and the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a 50 percent disability evaluation for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection. The veteran's cesarean section scar was found to be a natural result of childbirth and not a medical complication of pregnancy. Her psychiatric residuals from miscarriage were not linked to active duty service. The latex allergy was rated based on its impact on her work as an operating room nurse, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media, pes planus, headaches and dizziness, hiatal hernia with GERD, and prostate disorder are well grounded. The claim of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for prostate disorder is also considered well grounded.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being permanently housebound due to lack of substantial confinement to her home or immediate premises by permanent disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis with gastroesophageal reflux disease do not warrant increased disability evaluations beyond their current ratings.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10% for the veteran's service-connected residuals of hyperextension injury to the lower back and gastroesophageal reflux disease, effective July 1, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depression, service connection for somatic dysfunction of the thoracic and lumbar spines and bilateral sacroiliac joints, and gastroesophageal reflux.

The Board found that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected prepyloric ulcer has resolved, and his current symptoms are attributable to hiatal hernia, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). As a result, the veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because there is no current clinical diagnosis of all claimed conditions, and medical evidence does not establish a causal connection between the treatment received in June 1991 and the veteran's current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and erosive esophagitis, and a compensable rating for bilateral defective hearing. The veteran's heart condition is not linked to service or a service-connected disability. His back disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5292 or 5393. His hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and erosive esophagitis meets the criteria for a 10% rating, but his hearing loss is noncompensable.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an eye condition, heart disorder, GERD, hypertension, recurrent headaches, and intestinal disorder are not well-grounded. The Board denied these claims as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury that could be linked to current disabilities.