GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant's authorized representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches, eye/vision disorder, GERD, and stomach/bowel disorder are not related to service. The appeals for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, fibromyalgia, sexual dysfunction, or bilateral foot disability for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic diarrhea is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities are not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disability, left hand disability, and GERD have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current conditions and active duty.,GERD was determined to be preexisting and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive symptoms is rated at 50 percent, and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities, especially PTSD with depressive symptoms and Parkinson's disease with its associated manifestations, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's uterine fibroids and stomach disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a left thumb injury was granted. The claims for increased ratings for GERD and the left knee disability remain in appellate status.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is characterized by social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as disturbances in motivation and mood, panic attacks, obsessive and ritualistic behavior, memory problems, impaired impulse control with irritability and periods of violence, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or intestinal blockage, which are secondary to a service-connected ventral hernia.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for arthritis of multiple joints is granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and obtaining outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's insomnia has been rated at the highest available rating of 30 percent, effective from April 22, 2013. The other issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea effective June 1, 2005. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to August 30, 2012 is remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetes mellitus, type 2, heart disease, and depression, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for PTSD and GERD, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms were not productive of considerable impairment of health.