GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his hypertension and GERD. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions were directly caused by or exacerbated by his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and GERD/hiatal hernia to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from July 2004 to January 2006 and from December 2007 to the present. The Veteran should be afforded appropriate VA examination(s) to determine if his conditions are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the report of a July 2005 Upper GI Series (UGIS).

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and denied service connection for rosacea. The lower extremity and sinus disorders are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of perirectal abscesses, bronchitis, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), hidradenitis suppurativa, migraine headaches, and hypertension. The Board also denied her increased rating claims for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee, as well as a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his left vocal cord disability and an initial rating decision on agoraphobia and history of anxiety. The issues include service connection for paralysis of the left vocal cord as secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus, and an increased rating for agoraphobia and history of anxiety.

The Board granted a noncompensable rating for GERD, but assigned a compensable rating of 10% effective November 1, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD with Barrett's esophagus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted based on more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's 'fixed' hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (chronic peptic esophagitis) as likely as not had its origin during his period of active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346. His bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's GERD is not shown to be productive of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia. Therefore, the claim for a higher evaluation than 30 percent for GERD has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's digestive system disability, including post-operative hiatal hernia residuals, acid reflux disease, and food allergy, is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for seborrhea dermatitis and an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for GERD and hiatal hernia, effective October 1, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for residual adhesions of the abdomen and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post-operative partial small bowel obstruction, and has awarded a 10 percent disability rating for his post-operative partial small bowel obstruction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been previously denied and are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's digestive disorder, including hiatal hernia, GERD, and FAP, was incurred in service due to his active duty in Iraq.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational background, as she is currently working as a home health nurse for two different agencies.

The Veteran's gastritis with hiatal hernia and GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 60 percent rating is warranted based on his symptoms of daily abdominal distress and pain, vomiting, nausea, anemia, weight loss, bloating, and regurgitation.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer and GERD claims were denied. His claim for secondary service connection of arteriosclerotic heart disease was reopened, but the underlying claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD. The Veteran's service treatment records show in-service complaints of various gastrointestinal symptoms, but no definitive diagnosis or treatment for GERD.