GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for all the claimed conditions and assigned each a zero percent (noncompensable) evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disorder were denied by the RO.

The Board found that the interruption of vocational rehabilitation benefits was proper, but the discontinuance of these benefits was not. The veteran's case was placed in 'interrupted status' and then later in 'discontinued status'.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a compensable evaluation in any of the cases. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for increased evaluations.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids and secondary service connection for colitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease with solid food dysphagia. The RO needs to schedule a VA examination, obtain all relevant medical records, and determine the current severity of the service-connected hemorrhoids as well as any relationship between the veteran's gastrointestinal disorders and his service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The RO has granted a separate noncompensable rating for his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) effective from November 2, 1998.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of depression and his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux is currently evaluated at 10%. The flat feet are also currently evaluated at 10%. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as requested.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for an increased rate of pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and gastritis, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board finds that the veteran's back disorder and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) do not meet the criteria for service connection or a higher initial disability rating, respectively. The evidence does not establish a current disability related to service, nor does it show symptoms of significant impairment warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The decision states that the veteran had been gainfully employed from June 1995 to June 1998, and his last day of employment was May 30, 1998.

The veteran's GERD with dysphagia is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate for the entire period of his appeal.

The veteran's increased rating claim for GERD was denied, and the secondary service connection claim for a chronic lung disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination was inadequate and remands the case for further development, including scheduling a comprehensive VA examination to determine if the veteran's hepatitis was incurred in service.

The veteran's claim for service connection was received within one year of his discharge from active service, and the Board has determined that he is entitled to an effective date of November 1, 1998.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for various gastric disorders. The issue is now remanded for further development and readjudication.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the claim of residuals of a brain concussion, as there was no showing of current residuals or head injury during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in medical findings and opinions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment prior to April 7, 1997.