GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, with one disability rated at 60 percent (PTSD) and combined rating of 70 percent. The Board finds that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for radiculopathy of the left leg and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right leg.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Wooster Community Hospital from July 29, 2010 to August 1, 2010 are eligible for payment or reimbursement as the treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergency condition and no feasible VA facility was available.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on four issues: lumbar strain and chronic low back pain with spondylosis, tinea cruris, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux warrants a 10 percent rating, as it is manifested by pyrosis and dysphagia, controlled with medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and sleep disorders are not related to service, while his right ankle and left elbow disabilities were shown during service. However, as these conditions did not manifest for many years after service or are not linked to service, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for a prostate disorder and hyperacidity (GERD), which represents a complete grant of those benefits sought on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unverified periods of active duty and inactive duty for training, as well as missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from engaging in gainful employment prior to May 31, 2007.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating, as they do not include pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for GERD is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the baseline severity of his GERD prior to aggravation by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, neck, arm, hand, and GERD disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hiatal hernia or GERD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the application to reopen a claim for service connection for a back disability has also been denied. The remaining claims are either not supported by new evidence or do not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood (including complaints of insomnia) was granted, and an effective date of April 5, 2010 was assigned. The Veteran also received a separate 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability secondary to left leg length discrepancy.

The Board found that the Veteran's ankle/feet, back, neck, left shoulder, stomach/gastrointestinal, and psychiatric disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The kidney disorder was determined to be pre-existing and not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of pancreatitis with GERD and gall bladder removal. The claim will also be reviewed to determine if diabetes is secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for a left eye disorder was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,For hemorrhoids, an initial compensable evaluation prior to March 15, 2013 was denied. From March 15, 2013 onwards, a rating of 20% was granted.