GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disorder of the colon, to include diverticulitis, bilateral hearing loss, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The decision found that preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board affords the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran and grants a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including re-rating of his service-connected GERD and IBS under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.114.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to outstanding private medical records, and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for GERD and tinea cruris of the groin, as well as entitlement to service connection for a shoulder rash.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability or GERD, and his bilateral foot disability to include pes planus and hallux valgus is not service connected. The claims for impingement syndrome with arthritis of the left shoulder and right shoulder are also denied.

The Veteran was granted a higher 30 percent evaluation for GERD with duodenal ulcer scarring effective from August 24, 2012. The appeal is continued.,For the period prior to August 24, 2007, an increased evaluation of 30 percent is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD are at least as likely as not related to his active military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and ganglion cyst have been found to be related to his active duty service. The left leg disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (Major depressive disorder), sleep apnea, bruxism, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) are not currently shown or related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to increased ratings for various disabilities and service connection claims. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing, issuance of an SOC on the effective date issue, and other procedural steps.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, but the effective dates of these decisions are not specified. The Veteran was also denied new and material evidence claims.

The Veteran's gastritis disability, including GERD and distal esophagitis, was rated at 40 percent effective October 19, 2000. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of 30 percent for achalasia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder/hiatal hernia and dysphagia is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's GERD with lower esophageal web or ring and irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 7346 for duodenal ulcer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, chip fracture of left talus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and gout. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains pending.

The Veteran's GERD was rated as noncompensable from May 1, 2005 to October 5, 2006 and as 10 percent disabling thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a compensable rating during this period.,Since October 6, 2006, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent. The Board determined that there is no evidence of symptoms warranting an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD was found to have been productive of considerable impairment of health for the appeal period prior to November 23, 2011, warranting a 30 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's joint pain, muscle pain, and sleep disturbance are attributed to fibromyalgia. Her headaches are diagnosed as tension headaches and not due to an undiagnosed illness. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is not service-connected.