GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected paranasal sinus disease and duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux and irritable bowel syndrome do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD and a hiatal hernia, is not related to active service or any incident of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a digestive disorder or skin cancer that is attributable to his military service, including radiation exposure. The competent medical evidence weighs against finding a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations for acid reflux and allergies/rhinorrhea.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease is manifested by symptoms such as substernal pain, pyrosis, and regurgitation. The Board finds that the current rating of 10 percent adequately reflects these symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with a directive in an April 2011 remand order. The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection are now before the RO again.

The Board found that the Veteran's GI disorders, specifically gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), were not shown to be related to his active duty service. The VA examination did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his gastroesophageal reflux disease and chronic diarrhea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's skin and gastrointestinal disorders were not found to be related to his service, including his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including hiatal hernia with GERD and diverticulosis, as secondary to his service-connected residual scar from an appendectomy. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability and granted service connection for bronchitis. The claims of service connection for bronchiectasis, GERD, hypertension, bilateral eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip disorder, erectile dysfunction, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support an increased rating for his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder or residuals of excision of a ganglion of the right wrist. The hypertension with history of atrial flutter also did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected hiatal hernia with GERD and an increased rating for hiatal hernia with GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for avascular necrosis of the right hip, allergic rhinitis, and pharyngitis, as well as her claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and missing records. The Veteran's stomach disorder, including GERD and diverticulosis, needs further evaluation by a VA physician.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether GERD had its onset during active military service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches were not productive of characteristic prostrating attacks or an exceptional disability picture prior to August 28, 2007.,Prior to August 28, 2007, the Veteran's GERD and pelvic adhesion status post appendectomy did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.