GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, was not service-connected. His diabetes mellitus has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) since March 6, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease, hemorrhoids, sinusitis, and dermatophytosis of the right thigh and groin region as they do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD is not secondary to his service-connected gastritis or the result of medication taken for a service-connected back condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a separate evaluation for diverticulitis was denied, and his current rating of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, H-pylori, and diverticulitis is upheld. The issue of increased ratings for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease and hypertension, are granted due to exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for postoperative duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed related to his exposure to herbicides during service in the Republic of Vietnam. His gastroesophageal disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders are also granted as secondary to his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected acid reflux disease was found to not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating, with symptoms of difficulty swallowing and regurgitation. The RO denied her claim for an increased rating.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, except for PTSD and abdominal scar. The Veteran's bilateral shin splints, left hip quad strain, GERD, stomach ulcer, residuals of a fracture of the right 5th toe, neck disability, abnormal pap test, ovarian cyst, constipation, hemorrhoids, left knee disability, and sinusitis have not been found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hearing loss or tinnitus, and that there was no direct service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a bilateral knee disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran did not have these conditions during his active military service or any confirmed period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions developing in service or being caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, gynecological disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hyperthyroidism are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding whether his current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis, ulcers, heart disorder with hypertension, GERD, prostate disorder, erectile dysfunction, diverticulitis, skin disorder of the hands and feet, and pre-cancer skin condition are all related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD did not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating prior to December 5, 2009, and assigned a 10 percent rating effective from December 5, 2009.