GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including as secondary to PTSD, and for an increased rating for PTSD. The claim of service connection for colon cancer was remanded due to uncertainty regarding exposure basis.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and a rating of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, effective from September 25, 2000.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar strain, carpal tunnel syndrome (left and right wrists), left ankle, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The claim for GERD is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of GERD does not have a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current gastrointestinal disabilities are related to his military service or service-connected pancreatitis.

The Board found that the veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, gastritis, hiatus hernia and PUD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various psychiatric, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The veteran's service records are silent on these issues, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any of the claimed conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues related to PTSD, bilateral cataracts, rectal and colon polyps, GERD, burning of the feet, legs, and hips, and hypertension. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against restoration of a 30 percent rating for service-connected status post sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis and diverticulosis with sliding hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection of gastroesophageal reflux disease as secondary to his service-connected larynx cancer.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a stomach disorder and finds that new evidence submitted is sufficient to reopen the claim. However, the evidence does not establish a link between the current stomach disorder and service.

The veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and service connection for exercise-induced asthma has been established.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected CFS and GERD do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate due to her multiple conditions, including right arm lymphedema, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating or permanent confinement to her dwelling.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current diagnosis of GERD to his period of active military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a stomach condition, including GERD. However, the Board found no evidence linking the current gastrointestinal conditions to his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a vertebra disability, left hip arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and acid reflux with precancerous lesions in the esophagus. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left thumb scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, and schizophrenia are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and no current disability. The conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.