GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the issues of service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The duodenal ulcer with GERD issue remains under review.

The Board denied service connection for OCD and granted a 10% rating for GERD, finding that the Veteran's OCD is not related to her service but her GERD symptoms are currently mild.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her service-connected conditions, specifically GERD and H. Pylori.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, specifically gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD is directly related to his in-service symptoms and recurrent since service. The Board also found that it was at least as likely as not that the GERD began during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection claims for various conditions, including eczema, ruptured left ovarian cyst, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), headaches, menstrual irregularities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's GERD is manifested by dysphagia, heartburn and regurgitation without substernal or arm/shoulder pain. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need for updated VA examinations and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA treatment is granted as the criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 are met due to permanent service-connected disability, medical emergency, and unavailability of a VA facility.

The Veteran's skin conditions, acid reflux disorder, and vision problems are all found to be related to his active duty service. However, the Veteran's claims for athlete's foot and jock itch were not supported by credible evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verifying his duty status and obtaining private medical records. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The RO denied service connection for the listed conditions, including those allegedly related to participation in Project SHAD. The Veteran's claims have been previously denied and are now final.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disability, left hip disability, or sleep apnea. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection. The status of his GERD and Sleep Apnea claims is pending further development.,VA needs to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his GERD and Sleep Apnea are related to active duty or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD, obesity/weight gain, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are related to his service. The Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and the claim of service connection for loss of dental enamel (secondary to GERD) is being remanded due to a lack of evidence addressing whether GERD was aggravated by duodenitis.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating for a lumbar spine disability. The other issues are either granted or referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been rated at 30 percent since February 5, 2013. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) due to herbicide exposure. The secondary service connection issues will be remanded for further development.