GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that it is not related to her service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The initial disability rating of 10 percent for tinnitus, which is currently at the maximum schedular rating, is also granted.

The VA granted service connection for GERD and assigned a non-compensable rating effective from July 30, 2002. The veteran's claim is now pending further examination to determine the appropriate evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder, right ankle, stomach, and gastroesophageal disease disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including hiatal hernia and GERD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they linked to any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The VA denied a compensable rating for GERD since July 30, 2002 based on the lack of evidence showing symptoms that warrant such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities resulting from his military service for numbness of the fingers, sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or arthritis of the shoulder.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for hemorrhoids and service connection for skin disability were denied. The veteran was granted a noncompensable evaluation for GERD with hiatal hernia from October 1, 1999 to January 4, 2001, and a 30 percent evaluation beginning on January 5, 2001. For pes planus (flat feet), the veteran was granted a noncompensable evaluation for the period from October 1, 1999 to December 18, 2000, and a compensable evaluation of 30 percent beginning on December 19, 2000. The service connection claims for scars of the right hand and arm and skin disability were not addressed as they are not related to active duty.

The veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and Barrett's Esophagus is currently rated at 30 percent, effective June 22, 2005. The condition has been productive of stomach pain, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, epigastric pain, scapular pain, and reflux and regurgitation of stomach contents with no evidence of vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or, other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.

The veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are currently rated as 30 percent disabling, effective from the date of his grant. The residuals of a postoperative inguinal hernia have been rated at 10 percent prior to December 15, 2005, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia meet the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7346. The residuals of his postoperative inguinal hernia have not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to December 15, 2005.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disorder and GERD have been granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for the psychiatric condition and a 10 percent rating assigned for GERD, both effective October 1, 2002.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to treatment provided at a VA Medical Center in January 2002. The Board has determined that additional development, including medical examination and opinion, is needed before the claim can be decided.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that these conditions began during his military service.

The Board found no current skin disorder of the right arm.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for GERD and irritable bowel syndrome, as both conditions were first diagnosed years after service.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not service-connected, but his irritable bowel syndrome and joint pain are considered presumptively related to Gulf War service.,Service connection for fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness is denied as there is no medical evidence of such a condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hiatal hernia and there is no evidence to support service connection for diverticulosis. The medical evidence supports a finding of entitlement to service connection for GERD and esophageal stricture.

The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable prior to November 16, 2004 that the veteran was permanently and totally disabled due to his service-connected conditions. Therefore, the effective date for non-service-connected disability pension cannot be earlier than November 16, 2004.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability, gastrointestinal disorder (ulcer or GERD), or hemorrhoids that can be linked to the veteran's period of service.,The veteran was not granted service connection for any of his claimed conditions.

The veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied as the VA medical treatment did not result in additional disabilities, and there was no evidence of fault on the part of VA.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbar strain was denied.,The veteran's claim for an initial rating for GERD prior to October 27, 2005 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD beginning October 27, 2005 was also denied.,Claims for compensable ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and hemorrhoids were not addressed as they are separate issues.