GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected gastrointestinal disability is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151 for bloating, nausea, and bowel problems resulting from surgery (Nissen fundoplication) at a VA medical facility in July 2000 is dismissed as moot due to his already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his gastrointestinal disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied as there is no current medically diagnosed condition manifested by these disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder and acid reflux were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's GERD was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to his service-connected duodenal ulcer. The claim for an increased evaluation for duodenal ulcer remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is for higher initial ratings for several service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension with cardiomegaly, and left shoulder impingement syndrome. The RO has denied these claims.,The veteran's most recent VA evaluations were conducted in December 1998 and January 1999.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and up-to-date VA clinical records.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, GERD, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and prostate cancer, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a stomach condition, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's GERD is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of an epigastric hernia, and thus service connection for GERD secondary to service-connected residuals of an epigastric hernia is granted.

The Board finds that gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome are likely related to the veteran's honorable active service, warranting service connection.

The veteran's stomach disorder, including prepyloric ulcerations, erosion, hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is service connected as secondary to medications used for his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for chronic adjustment disorder, service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and an initial compensable rating for uterine fibroid tumors are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss, heart condition (claimed as a murmur), GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome were not incurred or aggravated by service. The vision impairment is considered to be a refractive error.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his hiatal hernia disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development due to the need for additional information from her former employer regarding her medical leave.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities and obtain relevant medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), effective from the day after his retirement from service.