GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent since November 21, 2006. Effective March 29, 2013, the Veteran is also granted a separate 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as an additional manifestation of his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The left leg varicose veins are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective June 13, 2008.,Claims to reopen for mitral valve prolapse, headaches, generalized joint pain, right leg varicose veins, bipolar disorder, PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder and PTSD have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 18, 1998 for the award of TDIU and found that DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are warranted due to the Veteran's unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disorder (status post-cholecystectomy with dumping syndrome, gastroparesis and GERD) is currently rated at 10 percent. The other conditions have not been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent effective May 19, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for GERD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and erectile dysfunction, as well as to obtain any outstanding VA or private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, but denied the Veteran's claims for depression and anxiety as well as his claim for an epididymal cyst.

The Veteran's GERD with steatosis of the liver and IBS have been rated, but the current ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for GERD, finding that there was no evidence showing the condition met the criteria for such a rating prior to May 27, 2009.

The Board found no evidence of current or chronic tonsillitis, and the Veteran's lay statements regarding his throat pain were not competent medical evidence. The VA examiner concluded there is no objective evidence to substantiate a current or chronic tonsil disability. There is also no currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Veteran's sebaceous cyst and gastroesophageal reflux disease were not incurred or aggravated during service, and are not related to a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with associated GERD and IBS is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for GERD was not granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, while his claim for a higher rating for pes planus was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed dyspepsia is related to his military service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issue of whether the Veteran's GERD is also related to his military service remains under consideration.

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2008. From October 2, 2008 to September 11, 2013, the evidence showed that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS are found to be secondary to his service-connected GAD, and he is granted an increased rating for GAD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder is not related to his period of active military service, including his service in the Persian Gulf War. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, GERD, and depression. The Veteran is now rated at 40% for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from July 11, 2011.