GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 is being remanded due to inadequate compliance with the Board's prior remand directives and the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether his additional gastric disability was caused by VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his postoperative ruptured left pectoralis major muscle prior to April 11, 2011 was granted. Service connection for esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia were also granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's stomach condition, including acid reflux. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and gastrointestinal disabilities. The Veteran is also required to undergo a skin examination to determine if her keratosis is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, but further examination is needed for OSA, hypertension, ED, and GERD.

The Veteran's GERD with esophagitis is manifested by epigastric distress and regurgitation, which warrants a 10 percent rating. The appeal has been granted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, including hiatal hernia and GERD, is related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of an increased rating for kidney stones remains pending as the Veteran has not been issued a Statement of the Case in response to his notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were permanently aggravated beyond their natural progression as a result of his service in Iraq. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that neither a hiatal hernia nor gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) began in service and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right arm ulnar neuritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, and a stomach disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's GERD with esophageal changes is currently evaluated at 60 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and expert opinion regarding the Veteran's GERD/hiatal hernia claim, as well as a TDIU issue. The case must be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability of the left foot, right arm disability, left wrist disability, stomach disability (to include GERD), and headache. The Board also denied reopening the claim for a stomach disability due to lack of new or material evidence.

The Veteran's total combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 90 percent, rendering him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service, specifically the frequent indigestion he reported during separation from service.,The Veteran's bilateral leg cramps are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service, specifically the leg cramps he reported during separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The increased rating claim for duodenal ulcer is also granted. However, further development is needed for the claims of service connection for diverticulitis/GERD and abdominal aneurysm.

The Board has granted service connection for both vocal cord dysfunction and GERD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active service. The Board also found that the currently diagnosed conditions were incurred in and have been recurrent since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, its onset during service, and its relation to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C. The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is related to his hepatitis C and/or aggravated by medications used for treatment of hepatitis C.