GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residuals of ankle strains due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no competent and persuasive evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and irritable bowel syndrome, both claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered related to his period of service.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at the highest possible level of disability, a 60 percent rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical spine disability and to determine if he has any gastrointestinal disabilities. The issues include seeking an increased rating for his cervical spine condition and determining whether his gastrointestinal symptoms are related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 20 percent, effective August 1, 2005.,For the period beginning August 18, 2009, the Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to include acid reflux and a hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with osteoarthritis and GERD have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the validity of his stressor allegations and a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric or back disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches, and DM are all found to be secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD and diabetes mellitus type I are service-connected, but his combined rating is only 40 percent. The Board granted a higher disability rating for GERD to 30 percent, but denied any increase in the rating for diabetes mellitus type I. TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran seeks to establish service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, which she claims is secondary to her service-connected knee, shoulder, wrist, and foot disabilities. The case is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions of GERD, gout, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty training or inactive duty training in the Army National Guard. As a result, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including cancers and neurological disorders, all potentially related to exposure to burn pits. The case is being remanded for additional medical records and verification of a claimed stressor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her thoracic and lumbar spine disability, gluten enteropathy and GERD, and left foot disability do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating was denied. The issue of increased compensable rating for renal insufficiency remains in appellate status.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus effective September 21, 2004. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hiatal hernia with GERD are currently rated at 30 percent each.