GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current GERD and/or bleeding ulcers are secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, as he experienced symptoms during service and they have continued since then.

The Board determined that the Veteran's GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including hiatal hernia and esophageal spasms, has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board found that his symptoms have not resulted in considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosed cervical spine, thoracic and lumbar spines, left shoulder, right knee, or left knee disabilities. GERD was first noted after service in August 2008. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on the association between his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. The case will be reconsidered after an additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, including GERD and duodenitis, are not service-connected as they were less likely symptoms of his post-service current diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD are not related to his military service, including his service-connected residuals of an appendectomy and small bowel obstruction.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at a 10 percent disability rating since May 16, 2013. The initial claim for service connection was granted and the current appeal is about an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD with peptic ulcers is manifested by recurrent epigastric distress, pyrosis (heartburn), and regurgitation, at times. The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence supports assigning an initial 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for fibromyalgia/intermittent migratory arthralgia and chronic fatigue syndrome as undiagnosed illnesses of Persian Gulf War origin, but denied the other claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1979 to 2006, scheduling a VA examination for the duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease, arranging for an opinion on the etiology of hypertension and pes planus, and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed gastrointestinal disorders, including colorectal cancer and diverticulitis, as they are not related to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange or asbestos.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with GERD was characterized by varying symptoms and severity. Prior to March 3, 2011, the condition was evaluated at a 10 percent rating. Beginning March 3, 2011, to prior to August 7, 2012, the Veteran's duodenal ulcer with GERD warranted a 30 percent evaluation. Since August 7, 2012, the maximum schedular evaluation of 60 percent has been assigned.

The Veteran's current chest pain is not service-connected as it was found to be unrelated to his service, and the Board determined that there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, vertigo, upper respiratory disability, and gastrointestinal disability were denied. The Board found that the conditions did not have their onset in service or were not caused by service.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS and hiatal hernia is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346. The symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed jaw disability or any other service-connected condition. The initial ratings for hypertension, GERD with hiatal hernia, tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, and right wrist CTS are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD, bilateral pes planus, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from August 3, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus or hypertension to a compensable degree within one year after discharge from service, and thus denied claims for these conditions. The stomach disorder with gastritis, IBS, h.pylori, and GERD was also not shown to be related to service or service-connected disabilities. Service connection for the right shoulder and left shoulder disorders were also denied.