GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tonsil carcinoma, dry salivary glands, and digestive problems. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all listed conditions, including those related to herbicide exposure. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters as the appellant's request to withdraw his appeal is now in effect.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 4, 2005 for a combined 20 percent evaluation for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (previously rated as eosinophilic esophagitis), a hernia scar, and status post right inguinal hernia repair.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acid reflux disease, and a compensable rating for pes planus. The veteran is not entitled to these benefits based on the current evidence.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's GERD is characterized by symptoms such as frequent regurgitation and heartburn, occasional arm and shoulder pain with incapacitation, and overall moderate impairment. The Board finds a 30 percent rating to be appropriate for the entire period of the veteran's appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic allergic rhinitis and for increased evaluations for gastroesophageal reflux disease, left ankle sprain, and fracture to the left ring finger. The veteran's allergic rhinitis was found not to be aggravated by service, while his gastroesophageal reflux disease is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to his health improvement and desire for such.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's chronic low back strain and increased ratings of 30 percent for GERD and inflammatory bowel disease, effective September 1, 2006.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and asthmatic bronchitis, finding that these conditions were not caused by or aggravated by the veteran's service-connected psychogenic gastrointestinal disturbance.,A compensable rating was also denied for the veteran's service-connected psychogenic gastrointestinal disturbance.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of service connection for trauma to the eardrums. The issues of service connection for GERD and IBS are addressed in a separate REMAND.

The veteran's duodenal ulcer, confirmed by x-ray examination, first manifested in service and is presumed to have been incurred during active military service within the first year following active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and thus denies this claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asthma, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, or GERD. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of a right wrist fracture and gastroesophageal reflux disease do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The combined effect of his multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities interferes with normal employability, warranting a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The claim for GERD secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hypertension due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain in the knees, legs, hips, hands, and shoulders (claimed as fibromyalgia) and assigned a noncompensable disability rating for GERD. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of GERD remains pending.

The Board denied an evaluation higher than the current 30 percent for asthma and did not grant a TDIU, finding that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.