GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for gastroduodenal erosions and esophagitis, finding that the veteran's diagnosed conditions are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome with joint pain.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia of the left lung and sinusitis with headaches were denied. The claim for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with Schatzki's ring and hiatal hernia with stricture was granted, but only up to a 30 percent disability rating from May 6, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for stress headaches and GERD, with the former receiving a noncompensable rating. The veteran's GERD is manifested by recurrent heartburn without difficulty swallowing or regurgitation.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The veteran's hemorrhoids are currently rated at 0 percent, and there is no evidence of a compensable evaluation.

Service connection for residuals of a right hand fracture and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been granted.,Bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as it was reopened but not yet decided.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for hiatal hernia.

The veteran's lumbar spine condition was rated at 10 percent prior to January 5, 2005 and since then has been rated at 20 percent.,The veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent. The veteran's left hip strain remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for the grants of service connection is January 24, 2001. The veteran's claim was received on this date and thus no earlier effective date can be granted.

The Board found that the evidence did not show a diagnosed back disability and denied service connection for a back disability. The veteran's claims of bilateral hand arthralgias, GERD, and acne were also addressed but are being remanded.

The veteran's GERD, hiatal hernia, and peptic ulcer disease are granted at a 30% rating effective April 1, 2001. The left knee disorder is not service-connected. The evaluation for the status post fracture of the left ankle remains at 10%. The sinusitis condition is granted at a 10% rating. Service connection for anemia was denied.

The Board found no medical link between the veteran's current upper gastrointestinal condition, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and his period of service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claimed disabilities, including headaches, musculoskeletal chest pain, aching muscles, allergic rhinitis, anemia, bilateral foot pain, and stomach pain, are not service-connected as they do not have a link to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD and hemorrhoids have been denied. The RO has granted service connection for alopecia, but the veteran disagrees with the noncompensable rating assigned.

The veteran's duodenal ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux were granted a 20 percent evaluation effective April 11, 2003. Prior to that date, the condition was rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there was no evidence linking his current condition to any in-service stomach symptoms or diagnoses.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, alcohol/substance abuse, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The veteran's cervical spine disability and hepatitis B were not found to be related to service. The Board also denied the claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260, and no higher initial ratings are warranted.