GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, hiatal hernia with GERD, and right foot plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's stomach disorder, including GERD and hiatal hernia, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as the previous examination was inadequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for restricted airway disease, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence did not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot pain, which is considered a qualifying chronic disability due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability. The Veteran's scars of the upper back and sleep apnea are also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to chest pain, and the back disability was rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, stomach disability (GERD), and boils around the foot were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during or after service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not present a prima facie case for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder and right knee disorder, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. As such, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services provided by Citrus Memorial Hospital on April 27, 2009 were not reimbursable as the treatment was for a service-connected psychiatric disorder and did not meet the criteria for emergency care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed GERD is not related to his active service and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, throat ulcers, hypertension, GERD, and fatigue. The decision is based on the current evidence not showing additional impairment beyond sensory disturbances in both feet.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective March 16, 2005.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disabilities, in combination, are of sufficient severity to permanently preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and occupation experience. Therefore, he is entitled to non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is granted a 10% rating for hammertoes of the left foot, but no higher.,Hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may service incurrence or aggravation be presumed.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for GERD, as the additional STRs submitted did not relate to the basis for the prior denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected tension headaches and entitlement to total disability rating due to individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, and bilateral hip and knee strains were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a 40 percent rating under DC 7913 (for type II diabetes mellitus) have not been met.