GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD causes complaints of regurgitation but no findings of dysphagia, pyrosis, or weight loss; the current rating of 10 percent is appropriate.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and left knee disorder have been rated at the lowest possible level (10%) for the entire appeal period. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bronchitis, as well as his requests for increased evaluations for GERD and right knee disability. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD and erosive gastritis are rated at 10 percent, while his right knee and left knee retropatellar pain syndromes are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for his right ankle sprain or right elbow olecranon bursitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed hearing loss in the right ear did not meet the criteria for service connection due to insufficient evidence of a current disability. The other conditions (GERD and hemorrhoids) were also denied as there was no showing of a current disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee, and denied both claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's GERD is manifested by recurrent epigastric distress with pyrosis and regurgitation, warranting a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to her active duty service. The claim for chest pain was granted based on the presumption that it occurred during ACDUTRA, but not related to any pre-existing condition. Service connection for GERD and right knee disorder were both denied.,The Veteran's chest pain claim was granted as presumed due to ACDUTRA exposure, while her service connection claims for anemia and right knee disorder were denied based on lack of a current disability or no evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected obstructive airway disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the clinically established impairment experienced by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for GERD was denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The secondary service connection claim for hypertension is referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The issues on appeal include service connection for sleep apnea and initial ratings for GERD, hypothyroidism, and left ankle arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and it is not shown to be proximately due to or the result of any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations by a gastrointestinal specialist and an audiologist.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a stomach disability, to include GERD and HH. The case is remanded due to the need to obtain medical records from Dr. G., provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed stomach disability, and ensure full compliance with due process requirements.

The Board found that the Veteran's esophagitis and GERD were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The most probative evidence does not support a link between his current gastrointestinal conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, GERD, and hearing loss were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for genitourinary and gastrointestinal disabilities, as well as other conditions, have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the resumption of payment of disability benefits for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux and hiatal hernia was denied as there is no evidence that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to April 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's undiagnosed illness manifested by sensitivity to petroleum products and profuse sweating is causally related to his active service. The criteria for establishing service connection for sinusitis, hiatal hernia with GERD, and sleep apnea have not been met.