GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2006

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including COPD, hypertension, arthritis, dysthymic disorder, peptic ulcer disease, polyarthralgia, and hypothyroidism. The veteran's service medical records did not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, including private medical records showing gastrointestinal problems related to medication used for a service-connected knee disability. The Board finds that these symptoms are proximately due to or the result of the veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his death, as well as failure to meet basic eligibility requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, emphysema, and gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease, were not shown until decades after separation from service and are not medically linked to service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has granted an initial 10% evaluation for the veteran's service-connected dysphagia secondary to Schatzki's ring, GERD, and hiatal hernia, finding that his symptoms are predominantly manifested by occasional dysphagia, regurgitation, and abdominal fullness. The disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating under any other diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral strain, and gastroesophageal reflux with esophagitis, hiatal hernia, and erosive gastritis. The evidence did not support service connection or higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's GERD warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective as of July 18, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or a link to his service-connected sinusitis. The veteran's service-connected sinusitis was rated at 10%.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused or materially contributed to by any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) does not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability, effective as of the date of the decision.

The veteran claims his stomach condition involving gastroesophageal reflux disease is related to either service or a service-connected disability, specifically PTSD. The case is being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and GERD, finding that the veteran's best diagnosis is a generalized anxiety disorder with depression. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The veteran's stomach disorder, including ulcer, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran does not meet the criteria for need of aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for migraine headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hypertension have been dismissed as the veteran has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board granted a 10% evaluation for the veteran's postoperative residuals of Nissen fundoplication surgery with dysphagia and substernal pain, finding that these symptoms warrant an analogous rating to hiatal hernia.

The Board found that the veteran's chest pain and acid reflux were not caused by the balloon dilatations performed at a VA medical facility in October and December 1992, but decided to extend the benefit of doubt to the veteran, granting compensation benefits.

The veteran's IBS and GERD have not been productive of more than diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress. The basic criteria for a TDIU are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of GERD, chest pain, or prostatitis related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.