GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease with hiatal hernia and acid reflux is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for severe or pronounced disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability, hypoglycemia, a bilateral foot disorder, a bilateral leg disability, and a stomach disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of any disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hiatal hernia, and increased rating for duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service or a service-connected disability. His hiatal hernia has not been diagnosed during the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with GERD warrants a 20% rating.,The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is currently rated at 20%, reflecting moderate symptoms requiring daily use of Prevacid.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected.,From June 19, 2006 to July 15, 2009, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for GERD. Since then, his GERD has been rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus, and Zenker's diverticulum. He also wants a separate rating for Barrett's esophagus and Zenker's diverticulum. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for asthma, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia), and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal low back pain with sciatic neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to the service-connected low back disability.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and GERD do not meet the criteria for a separate rating in excess of 10 percent.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's anterior lipomas, fusion of the right foot and ankle, right leg reflex sympathetic dystrophy, chronic nerve pain of the right leg, or atrophy of the right leg are related to her service-connected low back disability or other service-connected conditions.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 10, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 10 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for GERD was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a 10% or higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and generalized anxiety disorder, do not meet the threshold requirements for a TDIU as they are rated at 50% and 30%, respectively. The combined rating is 80%. However, he has been unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions and determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand tremors and hiatal hernia or GERD will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for acid reflux on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, as he developed this condition due to taking large quantities of pain medication prescribed for his service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, Alzheimer's dementia, sleep apnea, TBI, heart murmur, GERD, gastritis, and type one chiari. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including ulcer, GERD and IBS with chronic constipation, were not incurred during service or related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are necessary to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a chronic disability or objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness in the Southwest Asia Theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability is denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current condition and service.