GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for systemic lupus erythematosus and denied her claims for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetes mellitus, and cholecystitis status post cholectectomy.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and review.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear rating criteria and the need for a VA examination. The issues of increasing ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and GERD as secondary to service-connected sinusitis, and his claim for an increased rating for sinusitis. The veteran's sinusitis is currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board finds that the evidence supports service connection for lumbar strain and denies service connection for a stomach disability (GERD). The veteran's low back problems were noted in service, and his current condition is related to his military service. However, there is no competent medical evidence linking his current GERD to his service.

The veteran's service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia and GERD) has been granted. The veteran also received increased ratings of 20% each for varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities, effective from the date of his initial grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation for her service-connected chronic adjustment disorder and denied her secondary service connection claims for hypertension and GERD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability attributable to his active military service and therefore denies service connection for this condition. The hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling (zero percent), and the Board finds no basis to grant an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for skin disability, GERD with esophagitis, and posttraumatic fractures and loss of bone density, all claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent disabling from May 3, 2006. The Board found that the veteran's subjective complaints of shortness of breath and progressive dyspnea warranted a 30 percent rating prior to May 3, 2006, and a 60 percent rating thereafter.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, GERD, and a right ankle disability were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome with chronic constipation as there is no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to her active military service.

The veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has rendered him unemployable, and the Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if he qualifies for a TDIU based on his disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nausea, weight loss, diarrhea, and loss of appetite due to undiagnosed illness as well as lung weakness and chest pain. The medical evidence did not show a chronic undiagnosed illness but rather diagnosed conditions such as gastritis with erosions and ulcers.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia and duodenal ulcers with GERD do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions are not related to active service and did not arise from an undiagnosed illness.

PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate a 50 percent rating.,The service-connected status post residuals of right radical orchiectomy for seminoma with embryonal carcinoma of the right testicle and atrophy of the left testicle with hypogonadism do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,There is no evidence of a lung disorder (claimed as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis/pneumonitis, respiratory disorder, lung disorder, breathing problems, and lung cancer secondary to carcinoma of the right testicle) incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Chest pain is not a distinct disability for VA disability compensation purposes.,Peptic ulcer disease was not incurred in, or aggravated by, active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Degenerative joint disease was not incurred in, or aggravated by, active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Low back pain is not a distinct disability for VA disability compensation purposes.,Claudication (also claimed as peripheral vascular disease) was not incurred in, or aggravated by, active military service. The claim may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.,Obesity was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,Dyslipidemia is not a disability for VA disability compensation purposes.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been remanded to the RO for a hearing and further review. The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a ganglion cyst on the right wrist and gastrointestinal disorder were denied. The veteran was granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, but his initial compensable disability ratings for residuals of left ganglion cyst excision, meniscal tear of the left knee, and left otitis media were not granted.