GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's bladder disorder, pulmonary disorder, and hiatal hernia with GERD are all considered to be related to his service in the Gulf War. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left testicle epididymitis and increased evaluations for GERD, benign prostatic hypertrophy, bilateral ingrown toenails, and arthritis of both hands. The appeals were based on chronic symptoms but no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service was provided.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a spinal disorder diagnosed as DDD and ankylosing spondylitis. The claims of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis, residuals of injuries to the right arm and elbow, and increased rating for residuals of injury, fifth segment of sacrum with sprain of the sacroiliac joint are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and the need for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left knee prosthesis and back issues, significantly limit his ability to work. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for PTSD, endometriosis, and a disability manifested by a nervous stomach were not supported by evidence of record. The veteran claimed personal assault stressors but provided insufficient information to corroborate these events.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for IBS/GERD or cervical spine disability, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, or pes planus.

The veteran has withdrawn all of his claims before the VA.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of back disability, psychiatric disability, acid reflux, chronic bronchitis, and hepatitis C. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a deviated nasal septum and denied service connection for this condition. The other claims were also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case on the secondary service connection issue.

The veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed the case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of vertical dimension and heavy attrition of anterior teeth due to extraction of mandibular posterior teeth with no interarch stabilization, hypertension, acid reflux, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for Hodgkin's disease, reactive airway disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for GERD, effective from the date of grant of service connection. The veteran's IBS is not found to be related to his medications taken for service-connected foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied reopening of claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, as well as the grant of TDIU. The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of April 28, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss, tendonitis of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome or any other back condition, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's GERD with IBS and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood are currently rated at 30 percent each, effective September 2003. The appeal is granted for both conditions.