GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. His anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent, also the maximum schedular rating available. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease is granted as it is presumed to have been incurred in active service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for peripheral vascular disease, residuals of tracheostomy, and acid reflux are not addressed.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the denial of service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder to include gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and assigned a noncompensable initial disability rating for GERD. The Veteran's long-term complaints of heartburn have been considered, with the condition rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and asthmatic bronchitis, both secondary to his service-connected psychogenic gastrointestinal disturbance, are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's GERD is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected status post cholecystectomy, and thus grants service connection for GERD secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a gastrointestinal disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining unit histories, VA treatment records, and Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for GERD, ventral hernia, and paresthesia of the left lower jaw. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Specifically, the Board determined that the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher evaluation for GERD or ventral hernia.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial ratings for chronic sinusitis, residuals of mycoplasma pneumonia associated with chronic sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The appeal for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is referred to the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastroesophageal reflux disorder and migraine headaches.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they are found to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's GERD was found to have been incurred in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The hypertension issue remains pending as the most recent blood pressure readings are from several years ago.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tension headaches and gastritis and acid reflux disease are related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, tension headaches status post traumatic brain injury, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), and left wrist disability.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right hand disability, back disability, allergic rhinitis and bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and depression due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a nexus between any claimed conditions and service.

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 prior to April 20, 2009, but since then. He also had issues with his low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy, skin disorders, and residuals of hypothermia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea and gastrointestinal disorder, as well as to ensure that the appropriate evidence has been obtained for both claims.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is linked to hyperlipidimia he was treated for during service.,Service treatment records show GERD was diagnosed in 1990, and the Veteran continues to receive treatment for it. The VA examiner concluded that his current condition began during service.,The Veteran reported a groin injury in service which developed into a chronic groin pull. A VA examiner found this condition likely related to service due to its onset after separation.,Service records show recurrent back pain, and the May 2010 VA examination diagnosed quadratus laborum strain as beginning during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic gastrointestinal conditions, including colon cancer, GERD, and cholecystectomy, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current GI disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and traumatic brain injury contributed substantially or materially to his death, which occurred due to a motorcycle accident. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, headaches, a right inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The remaining issues have been remanded.