GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, as they do not render him helpless or require assistance with daily activities.

The veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 21, 2001 for service connection and a higher evaluation for his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for reopening his claim for service connection of diverticulosis.

The Board found that GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for residuals of cold injury to the feet, hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to December 4, 2002.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected IBS and GERD, maintaining that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection for PTSD and GERD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease were first incurred in service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to unclear findings regarding his ability to care for himself and protect himself from daily hazards.

The veteran's claim for nonservice connected pension based on permanent disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, particularly regarding possible psychiatric and cardiovascular disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete development and a need for additional medical examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for digestive disabilities including ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pancreatitis. He also seeks a compensable rating for his peptic ulcer disease. The Board has determined that further development of the medical evidence is necessary to address these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative left spermatocele residuals and remanded the issues of initial evaluations for sarcoidosis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, dermatofibromas of the legs, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left leg disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asbestosis, and hypertension. The decision also noted that new evidence did not reopen claims for pes planus and arthritis.

The veteran's service-connected conditions include GERD, headaches, a low back condition, and a psychiatric disorder. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that his symptoms, including recurring epigastric distress with pyrosis and regurgitation, are well controlled with medication. The claim for a separate 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is moot as the veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD have been evaluated under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal disorders including hiatal hernia and GERD, finding that the veteran's bronchial asthma aggravated these conditions. The rating for bronchial asthma remains at 60 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's stomach disorder, which includes gastroesophageal reflux disease and a hiatal hernia, does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent due to lack of significant weight loss or anemia.