GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board is reopening the claim for service connection for a hiatal hernia based on new and material evidence. Further development is needed before actually adjudicating the merits of this claim, as well as the claim for service connection for GERD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left inguinal hernia and an increased evaluation for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Board found that there was no evidence of a left inguinal hernia in service, and the current symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and GERD due to exposure to Agent Orange, but denied service connection for sinusitis as there is no evidence of such condition during the period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and GERD, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and separate ratings for bilateral tinnitus, finding no competent evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The effective date for PTSD service connection was granted retroactively to February 22, 2002, and the initial disability evaluation for PTSD was increased to 50 percent from May 31, 2003.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran died in September 2001 and was not service-connected for any disability at the time of his death. His body was not held by a State or subdivision of a State, nor did he die from a service-connected cause while properly hospitalized by VA. Therefore, burial benefits were denied.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for cardiovascular disabilities, gastrointestinal disability, dizziness with insomnia, a rating in excess of 30 percent for depression, and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability are ready to be considered on the merits. The veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an irregular heartbeat. The VA found that there is no link between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, fibromyalgia at 20 percent, and hiatal hernia with acid reflux disease at 10 percent. The effective date for these ratings remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and for reopening his claim of service connection for a right knee injury, finding that there was no probative medical evidence showing any connection between these conditions and active military service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bronchitis were all granted service connection. The PTSD was rated at 30 percent, the gastroesophageal reflux disease did not meet criteria for a higher rating, and the bronchitis was also rated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral otitis media, perforated tympanic membranes, and related disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection are now remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to uncertainty regarding his in-country service in the Republic of Vietnam and additional medical records may be needed.

The veteran is seeking service connection for stomach disease, which he claims is related to medications taken for his service-connected right ankle disability. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's stomach issues.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and bilateral knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.