GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, vascular hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, due to new evidence submitted by the veteran. The claim for GERD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of GERD in the record. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was also denied. The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for psychiatric disability including PTSD and bipolar disorder was granted, with a rating of 100 percent effective from the date of her original claim. The issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for right shoulder and chest strain (major extremity) remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease is linked to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as both conditions originated during active military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected GERD with esophagitis is productive of considerable impairment of the veteran's health as a result of persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis and regurgitation; severe impairment of health is not shown.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current GERD is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as secondary to the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease status post laminectomy. Service connection for acid reflux disease is denied. The veteran is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD were denied as there was no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors or a link between his current conditions and active duty.

The veteran's claim for new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for dental injury due to trauma during service was denied, as well as his claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative spondylosis of the spine, PTSD, cold injuries to both lower extremities, and esophageal motility disorder.

The veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) rating for hemorrhoids was denied, while service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to October 24, 2007, and the claims for service connection for GERD, IBS, headaches, a sleep disorder, and vision loss were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a fungal infection of the mouth/throat, an increased evaluation for stomach ulcer with helicobacter pylori infection and GERD and diverticulitis, and an increased evaluation for PTSD were denied.

The veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability, including gastritis, hiatal hernia, and GERD, is not shown to be more severe than currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with probable duodenitis is manifested by stomach pain, occasional nausea and vomiting without considerable or severe impairment of health.

The veteran's initial evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder was increased to 50 percent, but no more. The other claims were denied or not decided.

The veteran's service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted based on the evidence showing that his reported symptoms during and after service are consistent with GERD, and a doctor concurred that these symptoms are related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain, numbness of the legs and feet, 'liver enzymes', and acid reflux as these conditions were not related to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings than those already assigned.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened and remanded, while the veteran's initial disability rating for GERD was increased to 10 percent effective May 25, 2004.