GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 27, 2002, for the grant of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied as the correct effective date is June 27, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's cause of death is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of GERD, and thus the claim for service connection for GERD is denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent for hypertension and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left eye injury. As all claims were withdrawn, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's GERD and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions are presumed to have existed prior to her period of active service beginning May 14, 2002.

The Board has denied all claims for higher initial and subsequent ratings, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for the requested increased disability ratings.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the appeal.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from April 1997. The other issues are resolved in the veteran's favor.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, pes planus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, prostate disorder, and asthma, but denied service connection for colorectal cancer and nasal fracture residuals.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic gastrointestinal disorder in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection as his current GERD with hiatal hernia is not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastroesophageal cancer, which was due to exposure to herbicide agents during service, was the principal cause of his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for initial review of new evidence submitted since the January 2005 supplemental statement of the case.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because there is no evidence that his current GERD disability was caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA medical providers.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and fibromyalgia to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As such, the claim for secondary service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service or to his service-connected disabilities of type II diabetes mellitus and/or coronary artery disease.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions and assigned a 10 percent rating. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, a new examination, and VCAA compliance.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), previously rated as noncompensable, based on current manifestations of symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for his persistent dysphagia with GERD, post hiatal hernia surgery. The issues of service connection for PTSD, anal fissure (secondary to PTSD), and headaches (secondary to PTSD) were also addressed in this decision.