GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain of the upper extremities, seborrheic dermatitis, and GERD/hiatal hernia were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease effective August 20, 1997. The veteran's appeal was about the appropriate effective date for this rating.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for higher evaluations for his low back disorder, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, migraine headaches, and mood disorder with major depressive features. The claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is pending. The appellant's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease have not been granted a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or after service and no medical opinion linking the current condition to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, tension myalgia of the pelvic floor, depression, and acid reflux.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 60%, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board determined that the veteran's residuals of cholecystectomy do not warrant a compensable rating, as his symptoms are minimal and he has no symptomatic residuals.

The veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities, including hiatal hernia, GERD, duodenal ulcer in remission, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic colitis, have been evaluated at a 40 percent rating since May 16, 1991. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board has determined that there is at least as likely as not that an exostosis over the left eye was incurred in active service, and granted service connection for residuals of a head injury. The veteran's claim for increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with history of peptic ulcer disease remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist was granted service connection. However, his hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux is currently evaluated at 30 percent and no higher due to lack of evidence showing additional impairment warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's chest pain is attributed to a known clinical diagnosis (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and thus service connection for this condition as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness is denied. The RO has granted a 10 percent rating for migraine headaches, effective from April 18, 1996, but the veteran seeks separate ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was initially manifested during active service and is now granted as service connected.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized private hospital care received in September 1997 is denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The appellant's disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, are sufficient to warrant a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities, including erosive gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), are secondary to his use of medication for his service-connected back disability. The condition was not present during service or due to service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected hyperlipidemia is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Secondary service connection for hypertension, degenerative bone disease, degenerative joint disease of multiple joints, arthralgia, gout, stomach ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, and intestinal disorder are granted.

The veteran's disabilities do not render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs without assistance from others, nor do they render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. The criteria for an award of special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound have not been met.

The veteran's digestive disorder, diagnosed as hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dysthymia, anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of evidence demonstrating an actual disability or recurrent symptoms associated with active service.