GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's migraine headaches, GERD, and stable allergies/allergic rhinitis are each granted initial compensable disability ratings of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent disability evaluation. The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by suicidal ideation, some difficulty working with others, and some irritability towards his wife.

The Veteran's claim for separate compensable ratings for GERD and IBS was granted, with the effective date being November 14, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Alegent Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska on April 19, 2007 is denied as the criteria for emergency treatment were not met.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, is being remanded for further development as the Board finds additional evidence necessary to decide his claim.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of the appellant's service-connected GERD, as his symptoms have increased since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia are not attributable to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records, including SSA disability benefits and private medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastritis is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his use of NSAIDs for his service-connected right hand crush injury.

The Board found no evidence of a back disability in service and concluded that the current low back problem is not related to service.,There was no diagnosis or complaints pertaining to hiatal hernia and GERD during service. The Veteran's current condition, diagnosed post-service, is unrelated to her service.

The Veteran's asthma, GERD, right shoulder, and right ankle disabilities were not found to warrant increased evaluations. The appellant did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including renal cell carcinoma and its secondary effects, as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service. The Board has ordered additional development due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of current anemia, and the Veteran does not have chronic anemia. For his degenerative disc disease, C5-6, with cervical strain, the VA examiner did not find any limitation in motion or other symptoms that would warrant a higher rating. His right ear hearing loss was also rated as 0 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and hypertension, but denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 11, 2007, and a higher rating for duodenal ulcer with GERD.

The Veteran's hypertension, GERD, and bilateral foot disability are all granted service connection. The GERD is based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected conditions were denied. The RO maintained the original ratings of 10 percent for GERD, right and left knee strains, lumbar strain, and right wrist tendinitis post excision of ganglion cyst.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD was not shown prior to or during her periods of active service. The presumption of soundness is rebutted, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing that her preexisting GERD was aggravated by any period of ACDUTRA. Therefore, service connection for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg radiculopathy, initial compensable evaluations for lumbar muscle spasm and a left inguinal hernia, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for GERD were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic left leg radiculopathy or other service-connected disabilities causing the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal of the January 2004 rating decision was dismissed due to failure to timely file a substantive appeal. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings and earlier effective dates are currently on hold as they are inextricably intertwined with the timeliness issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the arms and legs was withdrawn. The RO granted an initial compensable evaluation (20%) for postoperative residuals of peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease, confirmed the current rating, and denied increased ratings for hemorrhoids and resected colon polyps. No effective date is assigned as the appeal is dismissed.