GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's asthma was not found to be related to service.,A chronic skin disorder was not found to be related to service.,GERD was not found to be related to service.,Liver disorder was not found to be related to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's current service-connected disabilities, including her status-post left tibia fracture, have caused or resulted in her current gastrointestinal disorder (GERD). As a result, the Board finds that she is entitled to service connection for GERD as secondary to her service-connected disability.

The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by symptoms of epigastric distress and pyrosis, with regurgitation and occasional episodes of substernal pain. The initial compensable disability rating for GERD is granted for the portion of the appeal period extending from September 29, 2004 to March 18, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD is related to her active military service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic duodenal and gastric ulcers, chronic gastritis, esophagitis, duodenitis, and GERD with mild anemia is manifested by dull aching and burning epigastric pain, reflux or regurgitation one to two times per week, frequent daily nausea, vomiting four to five times per month, occasional diarrhea, and mild asymptomatic anemia. The Veteran's disability picture has remained consistent since the last VA examination in June 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, as well as bilateral knee arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current low back disability to support service connection.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 11, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing before the Board. The issues of service connection for polyneuropathy associated with herbicide exposure, Graves disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for GERD, respiratory disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The new evidence submitted by the Veteran and her spouse supports a current diagnosis of these conditions and their onset in service. However, no definitive clinical diagnoses have been provided post-service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The maximum schedular rating of 40 percent has been assigned for fibromyalgia, which is the highest available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's IBS with history of GERD and sliding hiatal hernia is not rated higher than 10 percent for the period from July 1, 2005 to May 25, 2009. For the period since May 26, 2009, a separate rating of 30 percent for chronic laryngitis due to GERD is granted. Service connection was denied for right wrist disability and duodenitis/PUD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a stomach disorder, but it is still denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia, and TDIU were denied. The issue of service connection for a disorder of the feet, claimed as arthritis, was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for a sleep disorder, muscle discomfort as secondary to PTSD and headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent, with an additional 10 percent rating for the scar resulting from surgery in September 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and basal cell carcinoma have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active service or a causal link to his service.,There is no presumption of service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to the need to obtain relevant medical records and clarify whether his GERD was manifested during service or is otherwise causally related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for various conditions, including left elbow tendonitis and arthritis of the right hand, left hand other than the left ring finger PIP joint, right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder. The issues were decided as direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, but with noncompensable ratings. The claims for shin splints, neck pain, enlarged heart, and vocal cord dysfunction are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and ulcer conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service, while his dry eyes condition was diagnosed but not related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected perforation of the liver and cecum status-post cholecystectomy is rated at 10 percent, reflecting moderate symptoms such as pulling pain on attempting work or aggravated by movements of the body, occasional episodes of colic pain, nausea, constipation (perhaps alternating with diarrhea) or abdominal distension. The Veteran's GERD and IBS are not service-connected.