GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran with a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected GERD and right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's memory loss is attributed to his service-connected PTSD, and not a separate condition.,His digestive problems are related to known clinical diagnoses of GERD and hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and an addendum to the December 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his in-service symptoms and grants service connection for this condition. The lumbosacral strain and pes planus issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, to include as secondary to a service-connected appendectomy scar, was denied.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for incomplete malrotation of the gut and ectopic kidney in right lower quadrant.

The Veteran's esophagitis, with gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia, was manifested by moderate symptoms including substernal pain, epigastric distress, pyrosis (heartburn), difficulty sleeping due to similar dysphagia-like sensations, unintentional weight loss, and regurgitation of food. The Veteran's esophagitis has been rated at 20% since September 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination as there may have been an increase in his disability since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of service connection, with no higher rating warranted due to lack of severe impairment of health. The claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and pulmonary disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the claimed conditions or theories of service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's GERD is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition with a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and gastrointestinal disorders (other than IBS) are not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's digestive disorder, claimed as acid reflux, is related to service and granted service connection. The effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic lumbar strain was set at March 5, 2008.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for residuals of a right hand injury, middle and ring fingers with degenerative joint disease and scarring of the left forearm, as well as the claims for increased evaluations for pes planus, chronic peroneal tendonitis, tinnitus, status-post left ring finger fracture, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left thumb injury, and residuals status-post polypectomy, colon polyps, with tubulovilous adenoma hiatal hernia with antral gastritis/gastroesophageal reflux disease post previous treatment for helicobacter pylori and chronic duodenitis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The Board grants service connection for migraine headaches.,The Veteran reported experiencing headaches since childhood, but her current diagnosis is of a chronic condition that began in service and resolved with pregnancy.

The Veteran's compensation benefits were reduced due to his incarceration. The Board found that the reduction was proper, but noted insufficient evidence regarding the date of conviction and remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the Veteran's lay evidence. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to any higher ratings.,Service connection was established, but no higher initial evaluations could be granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for such.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of the current assigned disability ratings for PTSD, fibromyalgia, and IBS with a hiatal hernia and GERD.