GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions, as well as increased ratings for fibromyalgia and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left patellofemoral pain syndrome to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been presented, but further development is needed before reaching a decision on the merits of the reopened claim. Additionally, the claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders (including posttraumatic stress disorder), sleep and memory problems, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for AML, pericarditis, GERD, and arthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates are denied. The RO has scheduled her for VA examinations to determine the current severity of her disabilities.,An effective date of August 8, 2005, is assigned for the awards of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the right shoulder, and hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, and cholecystitis.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not due to his military service. The other issues of service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, acid reflux disease, and hepatitis C are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, ulcer disorder, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.,The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to service connection for kidney stones, also claimed as kidney pain; a chronic prostate disorder; skin rashes; brittle nails; a chronic bladder disorder; a chronic neurological disorder of the arms and legs; a headache disorder; sinusitis and allergies; gastroesophageal reflux disease; and stomach cancer, also claimed as cancerous polyps in the colon and a cancerous tumor in the duodenum.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims of entitlement to higher initial ratings for his right hand scars, left knee conditions, GERD, and thoracic strain are also denied.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is manifested by occasional symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected GERD and contact dermatitis.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current gastrointestinal disability is related to service, including in-service gastrointestinal symptoms and whether it resulted from aggravation of preexisting abdominal symptoms noted on the June 1956 entrance examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claims for GERD and IBS are also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and GERD are service-connected based on direct evidence of a link between his in-service experiences and current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.,Service connection has been granted for a bowel disorder (chronic constipation), but it does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU remains on appeal due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA mental disorders examination, obtain any additional evidence, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for GERD were denied. The claim for an effective date prior to December 28, 2004 for the grant of service connection for GERD was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his residuals from the 2007 gastrectomy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, to include diverticulosis coli and GERD, and a muscle disorder manifested by right side pain. The evidence shows that the Veteran had symptoms during service and continues to have these conditions today.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is found to be related to her military service and granted.,Service connection for dental implants and surgery of the jaw are not granted as they do not constitute a compensable disability under VA regulations.,There is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral eye disorder to her military service.