GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear pain, leukoplakia, GERD, bruxism, left knee disability, impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, cervical spine DJD, lumbar spine DJD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition or link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to suggest he is unable to obtain or retain gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's GERD is currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS have been rated at 30 percent, effective from June 30, 2004. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms as described in medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for alopecia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a scar to the scalp, and degenerative arthritis of the right hip have been denied. The current noncompensable ratings assigned under the applicable diagnostic codes are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's GERD, left shoulder disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were granted service connection. The effective date for these conditions is set at June 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Board previously denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The Court affirmed part of the decision and remanded the claim to determine if there is a probability that the Veteran's fatal cancer was related to his period of active military service, including exposure to herbicides. The case is now being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records, particularly those from 1998 to August 2007 and October 2008 to present.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-formulary medicine was denied because the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency care or prior authorization, and there was no indication that GERD is associated with his service-connected hearing disability.

The Veteran's first wife and four biological children were added as dependents to his VA disability compensation award effective October 24, 2000.

The Veteran seeks service connection for polyneuropathy, Graves disease, and GERD on the basis of Agent Orange exposure. The case is remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a heart disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence did not establish their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is currently rated at 10 percent. Her GERD is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is presumed to have existed in service and continues to be present, allowing for service connection. The esophageal ulcer claim was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as they are not found to be unemployable due solely to his service-connected conditions. The dental disorder claims remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for throat disability, GERD, and breathing disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar strain with sciatica, bulimia, hiatal hernia, IBS, GERD, and sleep apnea are denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a low back disorder during service or at any time thereafter, and the claimed conditions are not related to his military service.