GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2001

The Board found no evidence of a causal nexus between the veteran's active military service and his diagnosed conditions, including GERD, right CTS, and degenerative joint disease of the right elbow. Service connection was denied for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits, as his disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death, metastatic gastroesophageal carcinoma with lung and liver metastases, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The appellant could not establish exposure to ionizing radiation during service, and there is no evidence linking the cancer to a service-connected disability.

The veteran's diagnosed otitis externa, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine do not represent 'undiagnosed illnesses' for purposes of entitlement to disability compensation based on active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's treatment at a private hospital was not authorized by VA, and the Board denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses.

The veteran's residuals of an acromioclavicular separation of the left shoulder with arthritis are rated at 20 percent effective March 16, 1998.,A hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and a history of a duodenal ulcer is rated at 30 percent from September 29, 1995 to April 30, 1996. It was previously rated as zero percent effective March 1, 1994.,Hemorrhoids are rated at 10 percent since March 1, 1994.,Coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction is rated at 30 percent effective March 1, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with small hiatal hernia, finding that the symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO assigned a noncompensable evaluation for his fracture of the left third finger due to self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux with esophageal stricture and irritable bowel syndrome were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's disabilities do not render her unable to care for her daily personal needs without assistance from others, or unable to protect herself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis. The RO denied entitlement to special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease and individual unemployability are inextricably intertwined. Further development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, respiratory problems, chest pain and rapid heartbeat, thickened saliva and frequent colds, skin disorders, memory loss, irritability, lack of concentration, gastritis, duodenitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability resulting from surgery in November 1973 was denied, and his attempt to reopen a service connection claim for skin disabilities of the feet was also denied.

The veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux, and left shoulder impingement has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding the tinnitus issue.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), as well as service connection for heart disease, emphysema, anxiety and depression, arthritis of joints, and a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a heart murmur due to an inadequate substantive appeal. The veteran's herpes simplex virus of the chin is rated at 10 percent, and his lumbosacral compression fracture L4 with deformity L3-4 with moderate disc narrowing L5-S1 warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent.