GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, to include GERD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and fatigue, constant headache, muscle aches, and joint pain. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims. The Veteran's currently demonstrated psychiatric disorder is shown as likely due to disease or injury incurred in active service. However, his gastrointestinal disorder is not shown to be related to active service.

The Veteran's gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease is currently manifested by daily burning epigastric pain and episodic upper right quadrant pain. There is no evidence of significant weight loss or severe impairment to health.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA and private medical records, including those from a family nurse practitioner and a private physician in Rocky Ford, Colorado.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD. The case is REMANDED for a new VA examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), were denied as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and duodenal ulcer disease with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), do not render him unemployable as a result of his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gastrointestinal and left knee disabilities were denied by the RO. The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus, duodenitis, and hiatal hernia was rated at 30 percent effective January 1996, while his residuals of gunshot wound to the left leg involving Muscle Group XI were rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and is not proximately due to service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for GERD was denied.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective July 20, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, Athlete's foot, acid reflux disease, herpes, and dental problems were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The condition of hypertension existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service. The other conditions have no direct link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, claimed as secondary to PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if his bowel disorder and acid reflux are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, combined to be 70 percent disabling. However, the evidence does not show that these conditions alone prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with a 10 percent evaluation for nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis and chronic maxillary sinusitis since July 29, 2004. The claim for GERD remains pending.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia and thoracolumbar paraspinal tendonitis, as there is no evidence of symptoms that warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise with respect to whether these conditions are related to active military service. Service connection was denied for posttraumatic stress disorder.