GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the scar of the right knee and service connection for gastrointestinal disability, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic fatigue, both claimed as due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence submitted did not meet the criteria of being new and material.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran on his claims for increased rating for plantar keratoma and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is manifested by difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, episodic regurgitation and pain, as well as pyrosis, esophagitis, and esophageal stricture. Competent medical evidence described these symptoms as 'chronic,' 'severe,' and/or 'moderately severe.' Resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor, these symptom combinations are productive of severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected spine disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a compulsive eating disorder (obesity), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for a complete hysterectomy was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach disorder, residuals of flu, arthritis with back and leg sciatica, and hepatitis C were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a connection between the Veteran's current GERD and his military service.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia was rated at 30 percent prior to December 14, 2009 and at 60 percent from December 15, 2009. The Board found that the symptoms warranted these ratings based on the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The appellant did not meet the income requirements for nonservice-connected death pension, and her accrued benefits claims were also denied due to exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from SSA and other unemployment agencies.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and arthritis, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is rated as 10 percent disabling since August 27, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their severity.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, erectile dysfunction, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claims for residuals of frozen feet, head injury, PTSD, and TDIU were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and a need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's mixed-type headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on the severity and frequency of her headache symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for GERD and a cervical spine disability. The lung disorder claim is pending as it requires establishing service connection based on secondary to GERD. The AOJ must obtain SSA records, consider additional evidence not previously considered, clarify the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, reopen the lung disorder claim if entitlement to service connection for GERD is established, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal disease (also claimed as ulcerative colitis) was characterized by heartburn, abdominal pain, and occasional diarrhea prior to November 13, 2009. From November 13, 2009, the condition has been characterized by regurgitation, frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, and exacerbations approximately four times per year. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7323.