GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle pain with lateral instability and in excess of 30 percent for chronic dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease to ensure that all relevant evidence is obtained.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of cold injury of the feet and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or a service-connected disability. The claim for special monthly compensation was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a link to service or a worsening of his conditions.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding service connection for GERD, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review it.

The Board granted service connection for an acid reflux disorder based on evidence of complaints and treatment during service, as well as continuity of symptomatology thereafter.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied reopening of the claim for a bilateral eye disability. The Board also granted service connection for GERD.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, GERD, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for osteoarthritis of both hands, recurrent urinary tract infections, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from SSA and VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for duodenal ulcer with GERD, a compensable rating for a small hole in the esophagus, and service connection for throat cancer.

The Board denied service connection for GERD as the evidence did not show a relationship between the current GERD diagnosis and the gastroenteritis in service, or continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, acid reflux disability, sleep phobia, and sexual impotence as not being related to the veteran's active service or his service-connected bronchial asthma. The claim of entitlement to service connection for sinus disability on a direct-incurrence basis was reopened but ultimately denied. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal symptomatology did not meet the criteria for ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to February 11, 2008 and 30 percent beginning February 11, 2008.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and service connection for GERD and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred on September 22, 2005, as no prior authorization was obtained and the care did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and gastroesophageal reflux disease as they were not related to any aspect of the Veteran's service or use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

The Board found that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for gastritis with GERD have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for breathing problems, headaches, numbness in the lower extremities, muscle weakness, memory loss/difficulty concentrating, ear problems, dizziness/balance problems, and gastrointestinal problems. The Veteran's disability ratings for sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia were also denied or maintained.

The Veteran's GERD with a history of diaphragmatic hernia is rated as noncompensable, and his allergic rhinitis is also rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and low back disability as the preponderance of evidence was against a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed.