GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD, hiatal hernia, and duodenal ulcer with gastritis are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has found the evidence does not support a higher rating for these conditions.

The Board finds that the reduction of the 30 percent rating for erosive gastritis with GERD from May 1, 2009 was proper. The Veteran's disability has improved and is now essentially asymptomatic with medication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and TDIU were not addressed. The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 26, 2011, but granted a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD since that date.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a gastrointestinal disorder due to any incident of his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD and an increased rating for residuals of a left thigh sfw are being remanded due to the need for further development by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease to include as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder are pending. The claim for increase in rating for coronary artery disease from May 25, 2005, to April 2, 2009, is granted. The claims for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound are pending. The claim for educational assistance pursuant to Chapter 35 of Title 38 of the United States Code has not been adjudicated yet.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his active military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His gastritis claim is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis and GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran. Indigestion is not found to be related to Reiter's syndrome.

The Board finds that the Veteran's GERD, including a gastroesophageal ulcer, is related to his second period of active service. The hiatal hernia was not shown during service and is not considered secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and an increased rating for CFS. The Veteran was not shown to have a current diagnosis of GERD that is related to his military service, and there were no findings or diagnoses of CFS during service.

The appellant's combined rating is 70 percent with one disabilities rated at 50 percent. The objective and credible medical and other evidence of record preponderates against a finding that the appellant is permanently and totally disabled due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating for GERD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for GERD. The effective date of a higher rating for CVID manifested by colitis, diarrhea, history of duodenal ulcer, and chronic sinusitis cannot be earlier than January 23, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and right orchiectomy are not related to service, with no current evidence of a chronic condition in service. The Veteran's status post testicular cancer is also not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's current GERD is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and hiatal hernia with GERD contributed to his cause of death, as they were related to his heart attack.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The decision did not address service connection for left knee disorder or increased evaluation for thoraco-lumbar spine disability.