GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial rating decision, and his irritable bowel syndrome is now service-connected as secondary to a major depressive disorder.,GERD symptoms include dysphagia, pyrosis (heartburn), regurgitation or vomiting, and substernal, arm, or shoulder pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, and secondary service connection for radiculopathy are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The VA will need to address these issues on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, effective June 1, 2005. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to August 30, 2012 is being remanded due to the change in his disability picture.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD that he claims is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are needed regarding whether the Veteran's GERD was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his GERD and any bilateral foot disability other than pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a right knee disability, and a left knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to her active military service.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated as noncompensable, and a separate compensable rating for GERD prior to June 29, 2009. The Veteran is now rated with a 30 percent evaluation for GERD since that date.,The Veteran's low back disability remains at a noncompensable rating. His GERD has been rated as 30 percent disabling since June 29, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his disability as it does not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for GERD, effective from the day after service discharge.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and granted it. The decision also addressed his claim for GERD as secondary to his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD is granted.,The claims for mesothelioma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), neuropathy of both lower extremities, hypertension, and eye disability are being REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied. His claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with gastritis is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection was also denied for a head scar as there is no credible evidence of a head injury in service.

The Veteran's GERD, cervical spine strain, and lumbar spine strain have been rated at the maximum available rating of 30 percent for each condition. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation for GERD with gastritis and esophagitis is dismissed as there remains no case or controversy concerning the issue. The earlier effective date claim has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and left leg deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were granted increased ratings. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, cervical spine disability, sinusitis, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis issues remain unresolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, a bladder condition, acid reflux, infection of the hands, and a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The claim for erectile dysfunction was granted.