GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, effective December 29, 2005. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his disability picture and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the securing of relevant medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hiatal hernia with GERD and bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% prior to November 21, 2008. The rating for PTSD was later increased to 100%. The gastroesophageal reflux disease claim remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis and a gastrointestinal disorder, including gastritis, esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia. The Veteran's claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his service-connected gastrointestinal disability, consisting of hepatitis B, hiatal hernia and GERD, was denied. The Board found that the primary component of this disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's fatigue, headaches, memory problems, diverticulosis, anxiety, GERD, and sleep disorder are found to be due to undiagnosed illness during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disorder, including sinusitis. The Veteran's claims for alopecia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and skin disorder (including urticaria) are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with GERD is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of severe manifestations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive system disorder, including GERD and hernia. The evidence shows that the Veteran had symptoms of GERD since service and continues to have them now.

The Board found that gastroesophageal reflux disease did not have its onset during service and is unrelated to an injury, disease or event in service.

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis due to bilateral pulmonary emboli. The Board has determined that further development is needed, including for asbestos exposure and Agent Orange exposure claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorders, including diverticulosis, IBS, GERD, and anal fistula, are related to his military service. Service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disabilities, including GERD and IBS, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, blepharitis and dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, residuals of left knee injury, and GERD are all service-connected as they were first manifested during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left ankle strains are not shown to warrant a compensable rating due to the lack of evidence of moderate or marked limitation of motion.,The Veteran's status post left ring finger fracture with residuals is not shown to interfere with his daily activities, as he reports no adverse impact on his ability to perform normal activities.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346. The VA examiner found no effects on daily activities and noted that the Veteran's symptoms were well-controlled with medication.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD but denied onychomycosis. The remaining claims are remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disorder, as well as the current severity of his GERD. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address these issues.