GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's weight gain and loss are not service-connected, as they are likely due to medications for PTSD and a sedentary lifestyle. IBS and GERD were not shown in service and are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right wrist disorders, left knee disorder, and sinusitis/pharyngitis. Service connection was denied for allergies, fatigue, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, diagnosed as GERD with hiatal hernia and diverticulosis, was found to be incurred in service. The initial compensable disability evaluations for the deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis were granted.

The Veteran's GERD with gastritis and esophagitis has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms warrant a higher rating of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death or contribute substantially to it. The cause of death, asphyxia due to drowning, was unrelated to active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD, finding that there is no evidence supporting this relationship.

The Board finds that the Veteran's gastritis is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities, specifically his bilateral knee and foot disorders. Service connection for GERD is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher initial rating since July 1, 2005.

The Veteran's GERD, peptic ulcer disease and residuals of a gastrectomy are found to be caused by or related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's combined total disability rating remains at 40 percent despite the assignment of a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus, as his existing service-connected disabilities combine to yield this rating.

The Board granted a compensable evaluation of 10 percent for pyloroduodenal irritability with GERD prior to June 24, 2008 and denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent as of that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of arthritis prior to May 1986, and the Veteran's lay statements do not constitute competent medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a bilateral eye disability, hypertension, and residuals of dental trauma. The claim for an initial compensable rating for GERD was granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective June 16, 2006. The claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic left ankle sprain was granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective June 16, 2006. The claim for an increased rating for chronic right ankle sprain was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and GERD are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's current diagnoses of COPD and GERD were first noted many years after his discharge from service.

The Board has determined the effective dates for service connection of the Veteran's conditions should be June 17, 1991.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a stomach disorder related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding the Veteran's low back and gastrointestinal conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to cause the veteran's death. The issue of entitlement to death pension benefits is also being addressed.