GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA Form 646 from his authorized representative.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder and colon disorder did not have their onset or increase in severity during his service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated as 10 percent disabling since May 13, 2005. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for his service-connected GERD throughout the appellate period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diagnosed gastrointestinal disabilities and erectile dysfunction. The VA will provide a new examination for these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current digestive tract disabilities, specifically GERD and diverticulitis, are not related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence shows no organic pathology during service and no relationship between the current conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for IBS and granted it. The claims for stomach disorders, incisional hernia with post-operative scar, and migraines are also addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD did not originate in active service or for many years thereafter, and is not otherwise related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service or any incident of service. The Board found that the current disabilities are unrelated to his active duty and do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic GI disability, to include GERD, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with a 10% evaluation assigned for his irritable bowel syndrome with duodenal ulcer and hiatal hernia. The headaches, COPD, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are all considered to be related to the service-connected condition of irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran is granted an initial 30 percent rating for GERD with Barrett's esophagus since January 25, 2005. The Board finds that the symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right knee disability, migraine headaches, and hypertension. The Veteran's appeals for ischemic heart disease, sleep apnea, and GERD are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's onychomycosis was granted service connection as it is etiologically related to active duty service.,Obstructive sleep apnea and gastrointestinal (GI) disability were denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease does not qualify as an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and thus the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, or recurrent pharyngitis. For his rhinitis and ring finger fracture, initial compensable evaluations were granted. However, the GERD claim was denied as there was no significant impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a previously scheduled hearing. He has requested a new Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, with the effective date being the date of his June 2009 application. The Board found that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to impairment resulting from his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed hiatal hernia and GERD did not have their onset in service or are otherwise shown to be etiologically related to service or any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for a stomach condition was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected skin conditions cause or aggravate his GERD. The VR and TDIU claims also require additional examinations.