GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total abdominal hysterectomy, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of both hands, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or GERD symptoms warranting a compensable evaluation, thus denying the veteran's increased evaluation claims.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus and esophageal ulcers is found to have begun during his military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no valid claim of clear and unmistakable error in the April 1998 rating decision which denied a claim for TDIU. The veteran's case was not submitted for extra-schedular consideration.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rhinitis, gastritis with GERD, arthritis of both hands, lumbar strain, strained right shoulder with slap lesion, and tinea pedis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability in any of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen any of the previously denied claims, and there was insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and granted service connection for GERD, finding that the veteran's stomach disorder is related to his service-connected left hip disability. The rating for the left hip disability remains at 80%.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, and a stomach disorder, including gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) and diverticulosis.,There is no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder or stomach disorder during active duty. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed spinal cord injury, Brown-Squard syndrome, and brain stem injury did not have its onset during service or are otherwise unrelated to any disease, injury, or event in service. The other conditions were also found to be unrelated to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of GERD and Tinea Versicolor were denied, while his claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was also denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The veteran's cervical strain, mild central spinal stenosis with small central protrusion at C3-4 and disc bulge at C4-5 and C5-6 is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The veteran's GERD and IBS are each rated as 10 percent disabling. His degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine does not warrant a higher rating, and his bilateral hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including cardiovascular disease due to undiagnosed illness and rhinitis. The effective date of the increased rating for residuals of tonsillectomy was not changed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorders, esophageal stricture, acid reflux, emphysema, liver dysfunction, edema, and musculoskeletal condition have been denied. The claim for a skin disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service, including the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, sleep apnea, GERD, and sinusitis, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and hiatal hernia/GERD, finding that the veteran's conditions are not related to his military service or service-connected PTSD.,Service connection was also denied as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic gastrointestinal disorder did not have its onset during active duty and is not presumed to have been incurred in service. The current diagnoses of GERD, bleeding ulcers, hiatal hernia, and esophagitis are not related to his period of service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected injury to the superior laryngeal nerve with paralysis of the right true vocal cord is granted.,The veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected injury to the neck with loss of upper esophageal barrier to acid reflux prior to May 30, 1997 is denied. However, he is now receiving a noncompensable rating from that date forward.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for status post cholecystectomy, a psychiatric disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, all asserted to be secondary to her service-connected hysterectomy. The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's appeal is for earlier effective dates for service connection and a total evaluation based on individual unemployability. The RO has granted these claims, but the veteran believes he should have earlier effective dates.