GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate development and compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and the obtaining of updated medical records to determine appropriate disability ratings for her GERD and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and seeks to reopen previously denied claims. The case is being remanded for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings on gastroesophageal reflux disease, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella and infrapatellar tendon septic necrosis, and scar of the left knee were remanded due to procedural issues. The right thyroid nodule claim was also remanded.

The Board granted increased evaluations of 10 percent and 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dysthymia, respectively. The decision also addressed a TDIU benefits issue but is being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's stomach disorder and GERD were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor could they be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding her undiagnosed illness or Gulf War service. Her initial rating claim for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD with gastritis has been rated as noncompensable since August 1, 2006. The VA examiner found the condition to be manifested by a small hiatal hernia with persistently recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis and regurgitation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of basal cell carcinoma and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to a lack of current disabilities, as there was no evidence of BCC after 2004 or visible scarring from previous excisions. The claim for GERD was also denied as there is no indication of the condition in service records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 1, 2009 substantive appeal was not timely filed and thus his claims were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, cognitive impairment and memory difficulties due to a traumatic brain injury, migraines, neck disability, and back disability. Service connection was not established for GERD or hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities and determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is rated at 10 percent disabling from January 6, 2009. The Board found that the criteria for a higher evaluation were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and anemia are being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated as noncompensable (zero percent) since September 26, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on persistent symptoms of epigastric distress with pyrosis and regurgitation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left ankle degenerative joint disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for deviated nasal septum, chronic depression, and hypertension. The GERD claim was granted with a 0 percent rating prior to May 26, 2010, and a 10 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for postgastrectomy syndrome with GERD was granted, but the maximum available rating (60%) is not yet assigned.