GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected allergic rhinitis and another VA examination to determine if GERD is related to service. The issues of sinus problems and headaches are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of a TDIU.

The case is being remanded for further development and review of the claims, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and SSA disability benefit documents.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus, as well as colitis and ulcerative colitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that these conditions are neither caused by nor proximately due to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome or service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and asthma remains rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), was denied as there is no current and chronic gastrointestinal disability found in the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia have been resolved by a Decision Review Officer decision, which granted higher ratings effective February 1, 2007. The Veteran has now withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed duodenitis and GERD were first manifest during his period of active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck or cervical spine disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's neck injury during service is considered, and the private physician's opinion supports this finding.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and GERD. The evidence shows that both conditions are related to his active military service, with hypertension being secondary to his service-connected optical neuritis and GERD likely due to weight gain or steroid use after discharge.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, residuals of removal of gallstones and gallbladder, a disability manifested by dizziness, diabetes mellitus, nerve damage in the head, hypertension, asthma, heart disability, impotence, and an eye disability. The Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gallbladder disorder status post cholecystectomy, hiatal hernia, and an initial rating for GERD with Barrett's esophagus. The issues were decided on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD diagnosis is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulitis, status post colostomy, finding that it is related to the gastrointestinal complaints experienced during military service. The Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD with hiatal hernia remains in effect.

The Veteran's low back strain is service-connected as secondary to her service-connected left ankle disability.,Prior to October 26, 2009, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent. As of October 26, 2009, a higher rating of 30 percent is granted.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for acid reflux disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.