GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the exception of a grant of service connection for GERD and arthritis in both knees.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations for his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and bilateral knee chondromalacia were denied as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent or 30 percent, respectively.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the appellant's claim for an increased rating for GERD.

The Board denied service connection for heartburn, noncardiac chest pain, and irritable bowel syndrome as these conditions were not shown to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Board found that the veteran's GERD and IBS are not related to his active military service, and there is no new and material evidence to reopen a claim for paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board denied service connection for alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and acid reflux secondary to alcoholism. The claim to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for defective hearing of the left ear was also denied. Additionally, an increased rating for PTSD was not warranted.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for loss of use of a creative organ, IBS and GERD as secondary to PTSD, and TDIU due to the veteran's current disability ratings not meeting the criteria.

The veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active military service, and a rating of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hand disorder, a gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the veteran's active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhagic fever and GERD were denied as the preponderance of evidence was against a finding that his current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, acid reflux, and duodenal ulcer. The veteran's residuals of a ventral hernia were found to be asymptomatic.

The veteran's service-connected GERD with sliding hiatal hernia associated with duodenal ulcer by history, diverticulosis coli and hyperplastic colonic polyps is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes. Separate compensable evaluations for duodenal ulcer, GERD, and sliding hiatal hernia are not warranted.

The veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, and hiatal hernia, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of prostate cancer are being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD, but denied the claim on the merits. The claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded.

The veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are manifested by increased symptoms if he forgets to take his medications, require use of medications three times daily, and are manifested by persistent regurgitation, dysphagia, eructation, and the need to sleep in an elevated position. The Board finds that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The veteran's pre-existing GERD disability was aggravated by active service, but a cardiovascular disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.