GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), effective October 1, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of food poisoning, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's peptic ulcer disease with gastroesophageal reflux disease, currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's cervical spine and GERD disabilities are currently rated, but the case is remanded for further explanation regarding his left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have viral meningitis, encephalitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic disability involving memory loss, a chronic disability involving muscle weakness, or asbestosis. The veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an ear disability and increased ratings for GERD, IBS, right shoulder, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current chronic ear disorder or significant impairment from GERD and IBS.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder, including IBS and GERD with Barrett's esophagus. The evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and an increased rating for his gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic disability manifested by dysphagia, regurgitation, and acid reflux is not related to his service or any undiagnosed illness. The VA examiner opined that the veteran's achalasia was less likely than not related to his Gulf War service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, high triglycerides, GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and residuals of a broken nose due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is related to an injury sustained in service lifting sandbags, and his digestive disorders are related to active service. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective April 30, 2004. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Service connection was granted for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted with effective dates of September 29, 1993. The RO assigned disability ratings and effective dates based on the earliest date of objective medical evidence supporting the evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected GERD did not warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on symptoms such as persistent recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed GERD is not etiologically related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The issue of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is now moot as it was granted by a December 2007 decision. The timely filing of a substantive appeal for the GERD claim has been confirmed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cellulitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the service-connected amebiasis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected based on direct evidence and there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease. The skin rash claim lacks sufficient supporting medical evidence.