GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and bilateral knee disability are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma, GERD, and allergic rhinitis are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia, which manifested as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), began during his reserve service and is therefore service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a currently diagnosed bilateral knee or ankle disability, and his right renal cyst, hypertension, GERD, hiatal hernia with esophagus narrowing and polyps, and deviated left nasal septum are all considered to be related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's asthma, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), fatigue, headaches, and GERD were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied these claims as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including an anxiety disorder and PTSD, as well as for gastrointestinal disorders. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be related to his military service, while the gastrointestinal disorders are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for chronic hiccups and service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The Veteran was also granted service connection for hiccups, but with a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examination and to assist the Veteran in obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that further development is required with respect to the right shoulder, osteoporosis, lumbar spine, and GERD claims. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and glaucoma claims are not currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's GERD with gastritis is productive of vomiting twice a week, with a burning sensation in the stomach and chest, but not severe enough to warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an ulcer and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and asthmatic bronchitis are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The case will be returned to the Board for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for inter-ocular migraines and entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for GERD was denied as there is no current evidence of a gastrointestinal disorder related to service. The claims for increased ratings and left knee disability secondary to right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. As such, service connection for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease has been rated at 30% since March 14, 2004. The condition is characterized by symptoms of epigastric distress with regurgitation and substernal pain, resulting in considerable impairment of health.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for muscle tension headaches, migraines, benign fasciculations (manifested by muscle spasms and loss of muscle control), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to an undiagnosed illness. However, additional development is needed as these issues are remanded.