GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions. Other claims of service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for IBS and GERD were denied.,Her claim to reopen her skin rash service connection was granted, but she did not provide sufficient evidence to establish the underlying claim.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's hiatal hernia disability and denied a temporary total rating for surgery and/or convalescence following ventral hernia surgery. The hiatal hernia disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for GERD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination and obtaining recent treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an abdominal disorder, other than his service-connected GERD and hiatal hernia, is denied as there is no current evidence of a separate abdominal condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for GERD with residual surgical scarring is denied. The effective date of service connection remains February 10, 2009.

The Veteran's IBS is granted as a presumptive disability due to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. His GERD, acid reflux or hiatal hernia claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and acid reflux are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining statements from individuals who observed his symptoms during or following service and providing him with VA examinations.

The Veteran is granted service connection for Schatzki's ring, a gastrointestinal disorder. The evidence supports the finding that his symptoms began in service and are related to his current diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for COPD and vertigo, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service. Service connection was granted for GERD.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for IBS with GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities were denied. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings.,The VA examinations conducted did not show evidence of a service connection theory other than direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, specifically Meniere's disease, GERD, and headache syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination as his disability has reportedly worsened. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including H. pylori infection and adhesions, are not considered to be a result of the May 1994 hernia repair surgery at the Des Moines VA Medical Center. The Board finds no evidence that the carelessness or negligence of VA caused these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disorder, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and stomach disorder (GERD) are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and found that the Veteran's chronic sinusitis is related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for GERD with esophageal ulcer in June 2010, and the claim was reopened based on new evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia has been rated at 10 percent since August 2008, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms have not met criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at a 10 percent evaluation, and the claim for an increased evaluation is granted.