GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the current evidence is inadequate to determine whether the appellant is permanently and totally disabled, necessitating further examination. The case is therefore being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and allergic rhinitis. The case is REMANDED to obtain relevant medical records, including those from private ENT specialists Dr. Fibber and Dr. Mojtahed, and to schedule VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder disability that was incurred or aggravated by service, and the cervical spine disability is not shown to be aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since discharge from service, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor is it otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with persistent constipation is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria, and therefore his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and review of the Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability, including liver complaints. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, GERD, sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claim for headaches was also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that her current chronic headaches (diagnosed as migraines) had their onset during active military service. The Veteran's currently-shown hiatal hernia with GERD and abnormal pap smear are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stomach injury, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia was denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service department records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension and occlusal wear (secondary to GERD) are not service connected. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral eye disability, cataracts, and initial rating for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's GERD and related conditions are rated at 30 percent since May 20, 2009. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further examination is needed to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, assigning a 30 percent evaluation effective March 31, 2008. The effective date was set at November 29, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 7305-7307.

The Veteran's GERD has been stable with medication, but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of symptoms such as dysphagia, pyrosis, or substernal pain.,The Veteran's bilateral lateral epicondylitis is rated at 0 percent under the analogous code for arthritis, degenerative. The current examination did not show any limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The case will be readjudicated after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations and the criteria for each condition. The initial ratings assigned are generally in line with the severity of his conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for information from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding disability determinations and medical records.