GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's current GERD is not related to his period of active service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but granted service connection for PTSD with a rating of 100 percent effective from August 5, 2005.

The veteran's GERD has been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 16, 2003. The VA examiner found that the veteran had daily epigastric pain, pyrosis, regurgitation, and substernal pain causing considerable disability on and after November 21, 2006. Service connection for occasional paresthesia in the fourth and fifth toes of the left foot was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during service or within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for additional development due to a lack of compliance with prior remand orders and failure to obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a respiratory disorder independent from his sleep disorder. The GERD, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all related to service-connected conditions or other causes.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating of PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at June 29, 2006. The TDIU claim is also granted from May 20, 2004.

The veteran's GERD with cholecystectomy and steatohepatitis is rated at 10 percent, but the claim for left leg numbness is denied as there is no current disability.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disorder, acid reflux disease (GERD), low back disorder, hip disorder, testicular pain, ankle disorder, legs/thigh disorder, bronchitis, recurring hives with sweating, and sinusitis. The veteran did not provide a specific NOD regarding these denied issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's GERD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection and reopening are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's GERD symptoms, while persistent and causing some discomfort, did not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation. The condition was rated at 10 percent since September 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that additional development of evidence is required and the case is being remanded for further examination and review.

The veteran's increased ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were granted. The other conditions remained at noncompensable or zero percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated at noncompensable to 20% and the RO/AMC is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his right ankle tendonitis and GERD with diverticulitis, finding no current evidence of a left ankle disorder or significant disability in these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure proper consideration of his claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of his preexisting conditions.

The veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for an eye disorder, to include glaucoma, is dismissed. The case is remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran is likely to have PTSD due to traumatic experiences in service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's GERD warrants a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim.