GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are due to an undiagnosed illness or unexplained multisymptom illness related to his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected cancer of the larynx.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence to support a finding of a direct relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and service, or any other basis for service connection. The claim for GERD was remanded as it pertains to an issue not related to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and generic basal cell carcinoma were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic sinus disorder, including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, was aggravated by service. The Veteran's pre-existing condition worsened during her six years of service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with regard to all issues before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD is not related to his active service, including any potential exposure to depleted uranium. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's GERD was incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for gastrointestinal disabilities, including duodenal ulcer, rectal/colon polyps, hemorrhoids, gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, was denied. The Board found that the VA opinions did not substantially comply with the September 2012 Remand instructions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for GERD. The claim for a dental disorder characterized as missing teeth and loss of enamel is denied because there is no evidence of a compensable disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's digestive disorders, including diverticulitis, GERD, duodenitis, and antral gastritis, did not manifest during or as a result of active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as her claims for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its related conditions. The decision also noted that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for GERD is granted, and he is also entitled to compensation for a dental disability secondary to his GERD.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected conditions have been granted and are set at 10 percent each, effective the day after his discharge from active service in April 2008.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, diagnosed as dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, was incurred in active service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar disc disease, or for an increased rating for GERD prior to July 6, 2011, and for right and left lumbar radiculopathy from July 31, 2008 to July 6, 2011. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD since July 6, 2011 was also denied.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of the urinary tract that is due to an undiagnosed illness or other medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness.,The Veteran does not have objectively exhibited signs or symptoms of unspecified joint pain as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness.,The Veteran's GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran does not have objectively exhibited signs or symptoms of numbness and tingling of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, or right upper extremity as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness, a medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness, or that are otherwise attributable to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the stomach condition claim prior to a decision being made. The Board also found that there was no current respiratory condition and thus did not find service connection for this issue.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle and left leg/shin disabilities, as well as stomach ulcers and GERD. The Veteran's claims of service connection are pending on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Reinke's edema/hoarseness and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for tinea versicolor and a right foot disorder was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.