GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The Board has ordered remand for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and peripheral vascular disease, as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, PTSD, and GERD. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a breast disorder and denied her claim for service connection. The issue of acid reflux, alternatively diagnoses as dyspepsia, is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy or stomach problems, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that depression is secondary to his diabetes mellitus, but hypertension and hepatitis B are not related to either service or diabetes. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during his active duty or within one year post-service. The Board also found that any current disorders are not related to service.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with ulcerative antritis, gastritis, and hiatal hernia is rated at 30 percent, effective July 2004.

The VA granted a 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux effective December 14, 2004. The veteran also received an earlier effective date of December 14, 2004, for the 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, peptic ulcer, and indigestion, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service event or disease to warrant service connection on a direct or presumptive basis.

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The veteran claims service connection for GERD, which he asserts is related to in-service stomach problems. The RO has remanded the case due to unresolved factual questions and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected duodenal ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the veteran's current GERD and left foot atopic dermatitis and his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's umbilical hernia with subsequent ventral hernia was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. The issues of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as chronic bilateral foot fungus are remanded for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, blackouts, and an increased evaluation for shrapnel wound residuals. The VA found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service, and the symptoms he reported are not considered chronic or attributable to any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for toenail fungus, GERD, and tinea pedis/tinea cruris. The decision found that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current GERD is related to his service-connected duodenal ulcer or if it had its onset in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and a respiratory disability. The claim for degenerative joint disease and multiple joint pain was also addressed but is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia warrants a 10 percent rating, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including migraine headaches, acid reflux disease (including abdominal damage), and tinnitus, were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.