GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and other conditions were denied.,Service connection was not established for fibromyalgia, residuals of a back injury, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, chronic pain, atypical chest pain, psoriasis, arthritis of multiple joints, or cervical spine disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that GERD was not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability, and the heart condition was not shown to be related to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have an epigastric hernia, and therefore, there is no basis for a separate rating for residuals of epigastric hernia apart from the service-connected scar. The claim is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for hyperacidity and gastroesophageal disease (GERD) was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for gastroesophageal reflux disease with a history of esophageal stricture, finding it to be moderate in severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed left knee disability, acid reflux disease, or low back disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic stomach disorder and acid reflux/gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during his active service or within one year after discharge. The Board also found that any current conditions are not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a nexus between the veteran's current disabilities and his active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and coronary artery disease, as new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for somatoform pain disorder, prostate cancer (as a result of undiagnosed illness), severe restrictive lung disorder, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder. The veteran's abdominal disability is not service-connected. A rating of 100% was assigned for the lumbar spine condition.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations of residuals from a right hamstring tear, irritable bowel syndrome with GERD, and right knee ACL reconstruction have been denied. The veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for these conditions.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and peptic ulcer disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux was granted, based on a statement from Dr. A.G., dated April 13, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, GERD, hypertension, or IBS. The claims have been denied.

The veteran's initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder was granted at a 30 percent disability evaluation, and an additional 20 percent rating was assigned for his thoracolumbar spine condition. The right knee and lower extremity disabilities were each rated at 10 percent initially.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD) and psoriasis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability incurred during service and concluded that the current low back disorder is not related to service. The stomach disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's GERD, heart disease, and hypertension are not secondary to his service-connected PTSD or diabetes.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's GERD is currently asymptomatic and rated at 0 percent. The RO granted a higher initial rating for mechanical low back strain, but the disability remains rated at 10 percent as of April 21, 2006.

The veteran seeks service connection for multiple conditions, including a skin rash, left knee disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep apnea, and low back pain. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.