GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2005

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and GERD, finding that the veteran's current GI disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service symptoms.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his hookworm infection during service.

The veteran's service connection claim for GERD, ulcer, and H. Pylori is granted. The appeal for a higher rating for migraine headaches is granted to a 30 percent disability rating. The appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis is denied. The appeal for a higher rating for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis is denied.

The veteran's stomach disability is granted secondary to medication used for his service-connected myofascial pain syndrome. His lumbosacral spine condition warrants a 40 percent rating, and the cervical and dorsal spine conditions are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his GERD with duodenitis, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of various gastrointestinal conditions, depression secondary to prostate cancer, residuals of an ankle fracture, and deviated septum. The reduction in rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 20% was found to be appropriate.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left leg varicosities, right hip tendonitis, hematuria, and EKG ST changes. The veteran's hypertension and GERD are currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and a digestive disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux disease, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The effective date for a 50% disability evaluation for headaches as a manifestation of anxiety neurosis was set at March 20, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (previously gastritis), finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected bone spur of the right ankle, degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, and GERD have been rated as appropriate under VA regulations. The RO has granted higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection of gastroesophageal reflux disorder.

The Board denied service connection for digestive symptoms and hypothyroidism, attributing these to diagnosed conditions that were not related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Barrett's esophagitis, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease on both a direct and secondary basis to his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension, hand tremors, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hyperlipidemia, were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected stomach condition, including duodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), does not warrant a disability rating greater than 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions were denied. The RO granted service connection and assigned initial ratings, but the veteran disagreed with these determinations.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, cervical spine disorder, chest pain, and tinea pedis. The veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various dermatological, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic disabilities incurred or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's anxiety disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, which warrants a 50 percent rating. The Board finds service connection for GERD, hiatal hernia, and constipation secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.