GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of benefits in any of the issues presented.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, to include as due to exposure to environmental and/or toxic agents while serving in the Persian Gulf. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is found to have originated during his service in Afghanistan, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS and a gastroesophageal condition was denied as the most credible evidence indicates he does not have these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and hypertension are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD is not related to his service, specifically the Giardia lamblia infection he experienced during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the post-service GERD is a continuation or manifestation of the symptoms treated in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD disorder is related to his active service and grants the claim of service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, and gastroesophageal reflux disease to PTSD.

The Veteran's internal injuries, including digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), were not found to be related to service. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD from December 8, 2004 was dismissed due to the Veteran expressing satisfaction with the assigned rating.

The Board has determined that by granting the Veteran's claims, hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation as of December 13, 2000, the date his back disability met the criteria for a 40 percent rating. The effective date is set at December 13, 2000.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not include vomiting, melena, anemia, or significant weight loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder, GERD, is not related to his active service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be finally adjudicated, including obtaining private treatment records and attempting to obtain Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is etiologically related to active service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability (GERD and PUD) is currently rated at 10 percent, which approximates the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, which also approximates the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches and foot disorders, are not shown to be of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted service connection for IBS, but his other gastrointestinal disability (including GERD) is not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms, including heartburn, regurgitation, and shoulder pain, are currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7346 for hiatal hernia. The effective date is not specified as the claim was granted in May 2006.