GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including new examinations and readjudication of the claims under both old and amended criteria for evaluating scars. The Veteran's service-connected residual scars are being evaluated again, as well as his claimed IBS, GERD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is not service-connected and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied the claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and bilateral wrist tendonitis, finding no relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's lung disorder, including asthma, was not incurred during service and is not related to any in-service event or incident.,There is no evidence of GERD with reflux esophagitis during the Veteran's period of active military service. The condition was first diagnosed many years after discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was not entitled to an earlier effective date prior to September 17, 1996.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed skin, gastrointestinal, and thyroid disabilities are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's digestive disorder, including PUD and GERD, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Veteran's GERD with lower esophageal web or ring and irritable bowel syndrome have not met the criteria for a higher rating since February 25, 1994.

The Board has granted service connection for TMJ dysfunction and GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected intestinal amebiasis and denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), renal necrosis, and urosepsis.,There is no evidence linking any current gastrointestinal or genitourinary conditions to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but he is seeking higher initial ratings. The hiatal hernia with GERD claim was remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found that the NOD for GERD was not timely filed, and new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including as due to undiagnosed illness, were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a video hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for high cholesterol due to his withdrawal of the issue. The remaining service-connection claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The claim for a disability related to heat and cold exposure was not addressed as it is not within the scope of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, leading to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Veteran is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD from April 11, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sensory deficit of the right lower extremity warrants a 20 percent evaluation, but not higher. The GERD is rated at zero percent and denied as there are no symptoms warranting a compensable rating.