GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and acid reflux. The claim to reopen a previous denial of service connection for chronic tonsillitis was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disorder and chorioretinal scar, as well as initial ratings for migraine headaches and GERD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is found to have had its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD and hiatal hernia did not originate in service or until years later, and is not otherwise etiologically related to his military service. The Board also found that there was no new and material evidence presented to reopen the claim for an inguinal hernia.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and a heart condition, to include hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his active service or service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, GERD (secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing and issuing a statement of the case regarding his GERD claim. His claims for service connection for impotence and cervical spine stenosis are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was denied because there was no evidence of a permanent residual from the in-service gastric reflux. However, recent private examination shows a hiatal hernia, and further development is needed to determine if this condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with a 10 percent evaluation assigned for cholecystectomy syndrome with GERD and diarrhea. The claim for tinnitus was also granted. Other claims remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a compensable rating for his residual scar, status-post appendectomy. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his scar as it does not meet the criteria under Diagnostic Codes 7801-7804 at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability ratings for his left knee disorder, rhinitis, and GERD were granted. He is currently assigned a noncompensable (0%) rating for each of these conditions.

The Veteran's diverticulitis with gastroesophageal reflux disease is manifested by severe diarrhea, vomiting, regurgitation, and heartburn. The Board has awarded a 30 percent evaluation based on the overall disability picture involving his digestive system.

The Veteran's kidney stones, right eye disability, elbow disability, periodontal disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, impingement syndrome of the left shoulder, CAD, PVD of the right subclavian artery, GERD, IBS, fracture of the left ankle, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a 20 percent initial rating for PVD of the right subclavian artery.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, and for depression. The Board finds that the current examination report is inadequate and requires clarification regarding the relationship between his service-connected right knee and low back disabilities (and any medication used to treat these disabilities) and his current gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's GERD is related to medication used for his service-connected back disability, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by occasional abdominal distress and dysphagia, frequent heartburn and regurgitation. The Board found no basis to assign a higher rating than the current 10 percent for his GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of a disability picture that most nearly approximates total occupational and social impairment, warranting an evaluation of 100 percent.