GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the Veteran's current GERD and Barrett's esophagus are related to his service-connected asthma with bronchitis, as they likely resulted from the same exposure (aspiration due to gastroesophageal reflux).

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to her medical disabilities. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal disease, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding no evidence of in-service disease or injury that could be linked to these conditions. The Board also found no presumption-based service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 60 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The RO has not granted a higher rating for his GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GI problems, including IBS and GERD, are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with dysthymia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following some type of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected back disability did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent, and he failed to establish new evidence sufficient to reopen claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is related to his service-connected low back disability and was granted service connection. The effective date for the grant of service connection remains August 4, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's acid reflux disease and restless leg syndrome were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with history of gastritis is denied as the disability does not more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service stressor that would support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not show that it presents such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the assignment of a total disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain complete service treatment records, conduct VA examinations, and obtain any recent VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's death cause.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensuring compliance with the requested action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO due to her failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are found to be related to his active service, with the neck disability also being connected to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent is denied for GERD prior to May 5, 2010, and a rating in excess of 10 percent is granted from that date.