GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for gastrointestinal disorder, migraine headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and disorders other than PTSD), and left foot disorder. However, the claims remain denied as new and material evidence was not provided to substantiate these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and consideration of his contentions under Jandreau v. Nicholson, 492 F.3d 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2007) and Davidson v. Shinseki, 581 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir. 2009).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD and IBS, which she claims are related to her PTSD. The case has been remanded due to a hearing issue.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have been incurred during service and is related to exposure to traumatic events in service. Service connection for PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of migraine headaches has been granted, with the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is pending and will be readjudicated after obtaining recent VA treatment records. The low back disability claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial in September 2002.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, initial evaluations for low back disorder with radicular foot pain and GERD, evaluations for right and left heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, and evaluation for right wrist tendonitis were all denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen her previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal on his initial evaluations for GERD with small hiatal hernia and contact dermatitis is withdrawn. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not incurred in or related to his active service, and is not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that it is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his sinusitis. The matter of entitlement to service connection for IBS (presumably due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability) is inextricably intertwined with this issue and has been referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and GERD are currently rated at the lowest possible levels. The Board finds that there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or significant symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for GERD and a temporary total disability rating were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an extension of the temporary total disability rating due to lack of medical documentation indicating continued need for convalescence beyond April 30, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development regarding whether the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was caused or aggravated by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol dependence.

The Board found that the appellant's gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected hypothyroidism and Synthroid medication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, right ear hearing loss disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, right and left shoulder tendonitis, depressive disorder, cervical spondylosis, lumbar degenerative discs, a left knee disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a left pelvic disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sinus residuals of a rhinoplasty and septoplasty, a left foot disorder, hypertension, genitourinary (urethral) disorder, and rosacea on the nose, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 1, 2001. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for TDIU throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have GERD, sciatic nerve disorder, or arthritis of the fingers on objective examination and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer with gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease contributed to his death by causing undernourishment, malabsorption syndrome, and aspiration pneumonia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his GERD and any related arm and shoulder pain.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not result in the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to its severity. Other nonservice-connected conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, GERD, and peripheral vascular disease are more significant contributors to his functional limitations.

The Veteran's low back strain, right hip bursitis, and left hip bursitis have been granted service connection.,Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has not been established.