GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and GERD are being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a skin condition, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, thumbs, and knees, diverticulosis, and hiatal hernia and GERD, as none were found to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board granted a 50% rating for the veteran's major depressive disorder before December 14, 2006, and a 70% rating from that date forward. The decision also remanded the claim for service connection for GERD.

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and found that it was aggravated by the veteran's active duty service. The claims for service connection for depression with anxiety features, sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear, and a stomach condition were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a dental disorder other than lingual erosion of the incisors, but granted service connection for lingual erosion of the incisors as secondary to hiatal hernia with GERD. The Board also found that the veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD did not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, migraine, headaches, joint pain, memory loss, adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied.

The veteran's claim for assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied due to the absence of a qualifying service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and a stomach disorder, but denied the claim for hypertension.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. Service connection for a skin disability (tinea pedis) was granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's knee, shoulder, tinnitus, and headache conditions, but granted a 10% rating for gastroesophageal reflux with hiatal hernia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with one issue being withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, finding that the current ratings were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for GERD/gastritis, currently rated at 30 percent, was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and an initial compensable evaluation for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The claims for increased evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic migraine headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle are remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, gastroesophageal reflux with hiatal hernia and esophageal ulcer, and sinusitis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran is entitled to compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hypertension and GERD, as these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis.