GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded for further development and readjudication of the claim for service connection for GERD and ulcers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder, back disability (degenerative joint disease), and disability of the legs as not being new and material evidence. However, it reopened the claim for a back disability but denied the claims for a disability of the legs and a disability of the feet.

The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, but the claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease/hiatal hernia is rated at 30 percent, and his hemorrhoids are rated noncompensable.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, a skin disorder, and GERD were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain as these conditions were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on credible evidence of in-service onset.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to military service or to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD, maintaining the already granted 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as it was not sufficiently supported by medical evidence linking the condition to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or any other service-related cause.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including respiratory disorder, hyperlipidemia, obesity, GERD, hypertension, ED, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea, as none of these conditions were shown to be related to his military service or any exposure to hazardous environmental agents.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD is manifested by diarrhea and abdominal distress, but does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a travel board hearing.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance, but not to a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance, or adaptive equipment.

The Board concluded that the May 2001, April 2002, and August 2002 rating decisions were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous in assigning an effective date of July 6, 1999, for service connection for PTSD, GERD, and hearing loss. An earlier effective date is precluded by law.

The Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorders (GERD, hiatal hernia and esophagitis) are not related to any disease or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based upon the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The veteran's initial ratings for left eye macular degeneration, hypertension, and hiatal hernia were denied as the evidence did not support higher or compensable evaluations.