GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected GERD was initially granted with a noncompensable rating effective October 11, 2005. The RO increased the disability rating to 10 percent from January 29, 2007.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement for allergic rhinitis was January 18, 2005, and for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of a creative organ was February 22, 2005.,The veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anxiety, and initial compensable evaluation for hypertension were not addressed as they are separate issues from the service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including ulcer, GERD, and IBS with chronic constipation. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion regarding whether her current gastrointestinal disorder began in service or was caused by her service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have any disability due to undiagnosed illness as a result of service in the Southwest Asia Theater during the Persian Gulf War, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a nexus opinion regarding whether the veteran's cervical spine disability and GERD are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent, which is the highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The GERD was rated at 10 percent, as there were no symptoms that warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service or any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The appellant's gastritis is also not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression, and secondary service connection for memory loss and sleep disorder. Service connection for GERD and hypertension is not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder, and the GERD and IBS residuals did not meet criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent. The left thumb amputation was rated appropriately based on symptoms and history.

The Board granted service connection and assigned initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis, GERD, and left arm lymphedema. The lumbar spine disorder claim is pending in the RO.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, gynecological disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and gastritis, and headaches as these conditions were not shown to be related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residual skin discoloration from pustular rash is granted. The issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to a need for further examination and development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression secondary to diabetes, CAD, valvular heart disease, acid reflux or GERD, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, intermittent claudication, diabetic retinopathy, left foot and toe disability, psoriasis, and hypertension. The reasons for these denials are provided in the decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations. The VA will obtain his National Guard service dates, review his medical history, and provide a new examination to determine if his heart and stomach conditions had their onset during any of his periods of active duty.

The veteran seeks service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, which he claims is related to his service-connected duodenal ulcer. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of chloracne, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, osteoarthritis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) related to his military service. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with probable IBS, recurrent aphthous ulcers, and rectal bleeding were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss disability or sufficient symptoms to warrant a higher rating for GERD.

The Board found that the veteran did not submit a timely notice of disagreement for his initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected hallux valgus, left foot and right foot. The claims to reopen for tinea versicolor and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were also denied as new and material evidence was not presented.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cardiopulmonary disease was denied. The RO also determined that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his GERD, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, degenerative joint diseases of the knees, costochondritis, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids.