GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2006

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee and service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to his knee disability. The case is being remanded to obtain outstanding VA treatment records, schedule a VA examination, and provide appropriate VCAA notice.

The Board finds that the veteran's conditions, including GERD, right leg pain, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, are not related to his active duty service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right knee condition did not undergo permanent advancement during his second period of active duty, and there is no evidence linking his current GERD with sliding hiatal hernia to service. As a result, both claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran timely filed a substantive appeal regarding the March 2003 rating decision, which granted a 10 percent rating for peptic ulcer disease and denied service connection for several other conditions. The issues of reopening previously denied claims and seeking an earlier effective date remain with the RO.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia were initially manifested during her period of active service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disability and TDIU due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and additional development of his claim, including obtaining medical records and determining whether he has applied for Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary and procedural development, including obtaining VA treatment records from his service period and subsequent years.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for a service-connected seasonal allergic rhinitis disorder. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for costochondritis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are pending.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, chronic ear infections, neuropathy, prostate disorder, stomach disorder with diarrhea and pain, and GERD. The appeals are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected hearing loss, scar from gastrectomy, subtotal gastrectomy with chronic cholecystitis and calculi removal by cholecystotomy complicated by subhepatic abscess and chronic peritoneal adhesions of the liver, gallbladder and duodenum, with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), and diplopia.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being submitted and a need for a more contemporaneous VA psychiatric examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease do not warrant a disability rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. His claims for increased ratings are pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a determination on whether an extraschedular rating should be assigned for his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied service connection for a liver disorder (claimed as hepatitis) and a stomach disorder, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of any GERD and hypertension disorders found to be present, as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical records do not provide sufficient information to make a determination on the increased evaluations for low back strain and GERD. The appeal is REMANDED to allow for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional VA examinations.