GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifested by a nervous stomach, including GERD and constipation.

The Veteran's service connection claim for dysphagia was denied as it is part of his GERD with Schatzki's ring. His increased rating claim for cervical spine disability was also denied due to lack of evidence showing unfavorable ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or neurologic impairment.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran, and his widow requested substitution as the appellant. The issue of entitlement to service connection for high cholesterol has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as moot because the issue has already been granted in a prior rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, IBS as due to undiagnosed illness, headaches as due to undiagnosed illness, and muscle fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness. The left foot disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids is granted, as the evidence shows a current disability and an in-service onset. The claim for GERD is denied, as there is no credible evidence of its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for further evaluation and readjudication of his service-connected disability ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD and GERD have been granted service connection, with initial ratings of 10 percent from January 2007 to March 12, 2012. The rating for PTSD was increased to 30 percent as of March 12, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's esophageal disorder, characterized as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for secondary service connection based on PTSD is also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a left shoulder disability, GERD, or onychomycosis in service and there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder and hypertension were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and clarifying whether his unemployability is solely due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for tinea pedis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression and a mood disorder, is found to be related to his service in the Republic of Afghanistan. The claim for GERD is remanded due to missing VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to obtain treatment records and determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating, as his combined disability rating is at least 90 percent and he has been found unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of peptic ulcers, sleep apnea (claimed as a sleep disorder), and bilateral knee disability. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder did not have its onset in service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346. The VA examiner noted that her symptoms are productive of considerable impairment of health.