GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's GERD with gastritis, hiatal hernia, and esophagitis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable Diagnostic Code throughout the appeal period. As such, the claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and an increased rating for IBS, finding that the veteran's current symptoms are as likely as not related to her period of active duty service and her service-connected IBS.

The Board found no evidence of current heart murmur, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or arthritis of the shoulders. The veteran's claims were denied as there is insufficient medical evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's in-service gastrointestinal symptoms were not related to his current conditions, and thus denied service connection.

The veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is rated at 20 percent prior to March 30, 2005, and at 30 percent from March 30, 2005, forward. The veteran's folliculitis is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for a left ankle disability and asthma are denied.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, pes planus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic sleep disorder, and gout of the bilateral feet. The cases will be further reviewed by the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating, but her service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for pes planus, hiatal hernia with GERD, and residuals of a right hand injury were denied. The veteran was granted a 10% rating for the hiatal hernia with GERD effective February 15, 2006.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there is no evidence of two or more symptoms that warrant a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's residuals of cholecystectomy with gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that symptoms did not warrant such a higher rating.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from February 10, 2006. The right ankle and gastroesophageal reflux disease disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for IBS/GERD and found that hypertension and PVD were not service-connected, with the reasons provided.

The Board found that the veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 100 percent, and his hypertension is rated at 10 percent. The veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent since September 18, 2006, and he has a 10 percent rating for GERD with diarrhea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Graves Disease, residuals of ethmoidectomy and sphenoidectomy, eye problems, headaches, acid reflux, hypertension, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions were not related to service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is manifested by persistent recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating have been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any currently diagnosed disabilities of the right or left shoulder, and her claims for service connection are denied. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding that she experienced in-service injuries leading to diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, GERD, or degenerative joint disease of the cervical or lumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia in August 2004, effective from September 12, 2003. The veteran's original claim was denied in January 2001 due to lack of evidence supporting the conditions as directly related to service.