GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with asthmatic bronchitis, pain disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with Crohn's disease, and allergic rhinitis, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board found that GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a stomach disorder, including GERD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current stomach disorder is related to his active duty.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for hiatal hernia with GERD, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection. The right knee degenerative joint disease issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for neck pain as a manifestation of service-connected fibromyalgia and an initial rating of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no credible evidence of a head injury or neck injury during his active duty. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in service.,There is also no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic coughing, vomiting, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation are related to his GERD and Barrett's Esophagus, which manifested during military service. As such, the Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed GERD is not related to his active service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection based on his service-connected PTSD or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia and chronic GERD status post Nissen fundoplication surgery are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for GERD has been dismissed as there is no longer any controversy regarding the rating remaining for appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review them.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. Further development is needed to determine if the gastrointestinal disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals, and all issues are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD based on new evidence provided since the last final denial in 2005. The reopening is due to the submission of evidence indicating that the Veteran experienced symptoms of GERD during her military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied as there is no evidence showing that GERD manifested during his military service or is otherwise related to his military service.

The case is being remanded for further development to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of GERD and PTSD.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, memory loss, and acid reflux disease.