GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease were not incurred during active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on her right foot disability and hemorrhoids have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims. The effective date for a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids has been granted as June 21, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied. However, he is eligible for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound due to his age over 65 and multiple disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS have been rated at 30 percent since November 8, 2007. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) and right hydrocele with scrotal adhesions have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also entitled to a 20% rating for his right hydrocele and scrotal adhesions, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, do not render him unemployable without regard to his age.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, finding that it is not related to service but aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's GERD is characterized by abdominal pain, heartburn, chest and arm pain, dysphagia, regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, uncontrollable gas and bad breath. The Board finds that the disability picture more closely approximates a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted the requested increased evaluations and service connection for certain disabilities based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence of these conditions during active duty and insufficient medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the claims, including obtaining medical records and information from SSA. The veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and COPD are being remanded to allow for further review.

The Veteran's right ring finger fracture is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has not assigned a separate rating for his gastrointestinal condition due to lack of evidence supporting the need for such. The appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in March 2005, which did not adequately discuss whether the Veteran's GERD was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The case is now being returned for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling appropriate VA examinations to address the issues raised.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and was not exposed to herbicides during his active service. None of the disabilities at issue were present in service or until years thereafter, and none are etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board has also granted service connection for GERD.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any current disorder manifested by nausea is caused or aggravated by medications taken for service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus Type II with erectile dysfunction and bilateral cataracts, nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities, a cerebral vascular accident associated with his diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of favorable and unfavorable evidence regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is caused by his service-connected partial small bowel obstruction. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board grants secondary service connection for GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a stomach disability to include gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a low back disability. The Board found that diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of chronicity after service. The current stomach disability and low back disability are also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and updated medical records, as his symptoms have worsened since the last examination in September 2006.