GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's GERD has been rated as 10 percent disabling since February 8, 2005. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to this date.

The Veteran's initial rating for GERD was granted at a 30 percent level, based on moderate stricture of the esophagus. The Veteran has consistently reported difficulty swallowing solid food.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and GERD were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's herniated cervical disc C5-6 status post discectomy and fusion, previously claimed as mild cervical radiculopathy C6 distribution, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related to his active military service. The case is granted.

Since April 17, 2001, the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability has been no more than mild and has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD/IBS is manifested by recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, diarrhea, constipation, and lower abdominal pain. The Board finds that a higher initial rating of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome is warranted.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed GERD is not shown to be causally related to her period of Reserve duty or otherwise caused or made worse by medication used to treat her service-connected residuals of a fractured coccyx.

The Board finds that there is competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in service and GERD as likely as not had its origin during the Veteran's second period of active military service. The claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her COPD, chronic cervicitis, and GERD, as well as her claim for service connection for a chronic headache disorder. The appeals are dismissed due to lack of merit in the claims based on the current evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for service connection for joint pain of the hips, low back, ankles, shoulder, and neck.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide authorization and any relevant medical records from civilian doctors.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed bilateral eye disability, COPD, chronic gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, right ankle sprain with residual, tinea pedis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or establish a link to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 8, 2004 for her service-connected chronic lumbar strain. The issue of GERD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia did not have onset in service or were not caused by his active service. The claim for an inguinal hernia was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia and GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's aspirational bronchitis associated with this condition was granted service connection but not evaluated as it does not meet the criteria for a separate evaluation under current VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, hiatal hernia/GERD, and lung disorder is denied. The claim for depression remains pending.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is not granted as there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.