GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and gastroesophageal reflux and duodenitis, finding no evidence of onset during active duty or ACDUTRA. Service connection was granted for anxiety disorder with an initial evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that originated in service, or is otherwise the result of his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for GERD is denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have a right ankle disorder, gastrointestinal/gastroesophageal disability, dorsal spine disability, or bilateral shoulder disability that is service-connected. The lumbar strain condition also cannot be linked to service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, and a chronic prostate disorder. Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss, Hepatitis C, and sleep apnea.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD or tinnitus due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current GERD is not attributable to his active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disorders, as well as his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for diplopia due to orbital floor blowout fracture of the right orbit. The RO granted service connection for GERD but assigned a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant needed assistance for dressing, bathing, cooking and other activities of daily living due to a left hip fracture and surgery. However, she was not permanently confined to her home or immediate premises by reason of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and a right knee disability, but denied service connection for the status postoperative bilateral vasectomy. The veteran's GERD is currently rated as noncompensable, and his subacute dermatitis of the hands does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran is seeking service connection for GERD, which she claims is related to her military service. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for anemia and granted it. Service connection is also granted for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of GERD secondary to PTSD, a compensable rating for Crohn's disease and IBS aggravated by PTSD, and an effective date earlier than October 26, 2001, for the award of a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD. The evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The veteran's appeal was denied for higher ratings for his service-connected low back disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and fibromyalgia with irritable bowel syndrome.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person (A&A) or at the housebound rate.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7346 (hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease) or DC 6513 (sinusitis).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability and GERD do not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as their manifestations have been minimal and without significant functional impairment.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective from April 9, 1997. The evaluation for fibromyalgia remains at 20 percent since March 1, 2002. A noncompensable rating was assigned for GERD before August 27, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's posterior fossa cyst and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related to service, warranting a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all of his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for erectile dysfunction and gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease. The veteran is being remanded to complete an appeal on the issue of entitlement to separate ratings for these conditions.