GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD and wishes to reopen his claim for left knee strain. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for an examination regarding GERD and issuance of a Statement of the Case on reopening left knee strain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of the evidence, including a new VA medical examination to assess the current severity of his gastritis with GERD.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/privately held treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Board can adjudicate the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his GERD, as he has asserted that it has worsened since the last examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and high cholesterol, as well as his request for an increased evaluation for duodenitis with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for hypertension. Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol because it is not a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Veteran's duodenitis with GERD was rated at 20 percent, effective from December 2005.

The Veteran's bilateral knee pain and DJD are considered service-connected, while GERD is not. The Board finds that the Veteran's current symptoms of knee pain and DJD are related to his service, including his Anthrax vaccination injections.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD and IBS with constipation was denied. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current GERD is related to service and whether his documented complaints of nausea and diarrhea during service were manifestations of his current GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a bilateral heel disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was not incurred or aggravated by service, and his lumbosacral sprain with radiculopathy and degenerative changes is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The TDIU claim for a specific period of time remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disorder, neck disorder, lumbar spine disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction, were denied. The RO also denied his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the right buttock.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine. The Veteran's PTSD claim was also denied. Claims regarding a right foot and ankle disability and scoliosis with degenerative joint disease were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. A higher rating for recurrent right shoulder dislocation with degenerative joint disease prior to January 7, 2008, was also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for acid reflux, hypertension, and kidney cyst have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of those claims.

The Veteran's GERD and fibromyalgia are not related to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that these conditions are not secondary to PTSD.