GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection based on in-service combat exposure. Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure, but not for other conditions as they were not diagnosed or related to service.

The Veteran claims his GERD was caused by military service, specifically boot camp. The Board finds that further examination and medical opinion are needed to determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hiatal hernia with GERD and an increased rating for hypertension, finding that new evidence did not establish a relationship to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as a non-service connected disability causes his employment limitations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations to address the severity of his PTSD and any stomach disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for metastatic RCC and its associated residuals, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his active duty service or herbicide exposure and these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD). The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bilateral plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's GERD and ED have been granted service connection, with effective dates prior to the dates of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 100%, meeting the percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, the weight of medical opinion and other evidence indicates that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronicity or aggravation during service, and the preexisting hypertension was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the reductions in disability ratings for migraine headaches and GERD with sliding hiatal hernia were improper, resulting in a void ab initio status. The original disability ratings of 10% have been restored.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors occurred and are related to her current condition. The other issues regarding gynecological disorder and a nervous stomach have been remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have gastritis or GERD to include polyps, caused by his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder was denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right shoulder disorder due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia and hypertension, as well as his claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 30, 2010. The Veteran's GERD was granted a 20 percent disability rating effective September 30, 2004, but the Board found that it did not warrant a higher rating.