GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chondromalacia, right knee and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The initial evaluation for chondromalacia, right knee was granted at 10 percent effective February 5, 2004, and later increased to 30 percent effective May 20, 2005. However, the Veteran's claim for GERD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of permanent and total disability from non-service connected conditions. Additional records, including SSA disability benefit information and VA outpatient treatment records, are needed.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and granted a 10 percent rating for the back injury with L5-S1 degenerative joint disease. The claim for higher initial rating for the lumbar spine is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for GERD, a disability manifested by liver and spleen enlargement, including as due to his service-connected PTSD, and a disability manifested by dizziness and vertigo, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's GERD and right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to issues related to service connection for various conditions, including an undiagnosed illness and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Veteran's GERD with gastric ulcer is not manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress, and the current 10 percent disability evaluation remains appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, and stomach disability. The issues include service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative changes and joint pain, gastrointestinal disorder, and bilateral shin splints have been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the appellant's hip and knee disorders, GERD, migraine headaches, and gynecological disorder are related to her service. The claims will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development, including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and insufficient evidence to establish a link between active military service or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, which has been diagnosed as GERD. The Board finds that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection and remands the case for further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip disorder and hiatal hernia with GERD have been granted, but the initial evaluations are at the minimum 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for his gastroesophageal reflux disease and psychiatric disorder including major depression with panic disorder and agoraphobia is denied. The current evaluations assigned do not accurately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on housebound status was denied as he does not meet the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1521(e) due to his nonservice-connected disabilities and lack of permanent total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required before a final decision can be made on the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection for the claimed conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, osteoporosis, arthritis, esophagitis, GERD, hiatal hernia, and COPD and bronchial asthma with obstruction. The Veteran's STRs did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for cellulitis, GERD, and PTSD. The Veteran's cellulitis claim was not granted as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. Service connection for GERD was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the current disorder and service. Service connection for PTSD was granted based on combat-related stressors. The Veteran's amebiasis rating remains unchanged.