GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claimed gastrointestinal disability, including hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), was not shown to be related to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a hiatal hernia or GERD in service and denied service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the VA criteria for a disability. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD was granted, but only effective from April 22, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and translating Spanish language documents. The issues of service connection for vertigo and a left shoulder condition are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD and right wrist scar were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder of the feet, a rectal disorder, GERD, and prostate disorder. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate Gulf War protocol examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any right butt cheek condition, random baldness with lumps in the head, GERD, skin condition, and/or sleep disorder found to be present.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective June 11, 2008. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the evidence did not show unemployability prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected bilateral spondylosis at L5-S1 was denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied, including on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's initial ratings for non-specific headaches and irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease have been granted, but the rating for irritable bowel syndrome is at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected left arm condition is not productive of limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level or at the shoulder level, even taking into account repetitive motion testing and his complaints of pain.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is not productive of flexion limited to 45 degrees or less nor extension limited to 10 degrees or more, even taking into account repetitive motion testing and his complaints of pain. The Veteran's left knee instability is only slight.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is productive of no more than slight instability.,The Veteran's service-connected CAD is not productive of a workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or X-ray.,The Veteran's service-connected left carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy is productive of no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is only mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.,The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there are no more than noncompensable limitations in range of motion of the right wrist and each finger on the right hand, with no evidence of incapacitating exacerbations.,The Veteran's service-connected GERD is not productive of diastolic pressure predominantly less than 100 or systolic pressure predominantly less than 160.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the left wrist disorder, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The Board dismissed these issues as withdrawn by the Veteran. For gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagus stricture, the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to military service or radiation exposure.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and assistance due to his multiple nonservice-connected disabilities, which render him unable to perform certain daily activities without help. As a result, he qualifies for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder was not granted.,For gastroesophageal reflux disease, the Veteran received a staged 10 percent evaluation beginning August 23, 2008. The Board found that prior to this date, he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including degenerative changes at the acromioclavicular joint of the left shoulder and gastroesophageal reflux disease, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total rating for non-service connected pension.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, is granted. The claims of service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and esophageal ulcers are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no evidence of symptoms that would warrant a higher rating. The claim for an increased disability evaluation for asthma is withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, finding that the Veteran's current GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The Board also denied an increased evaluation for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal, hearing loss, left wrist, left ankle, and skin conditions were denied.