GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive system disability manifested by acid reflux, polyps in the throat and esophagus, bacteria, and a hole in the stomach, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's GERD and hypertension are not service connected, with the Board finding that his hypertension is less likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence. The Board will consider the new examination results in determining whether service connection is warranted for her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD were manifested by decreased symptoms of dysphagia and occasional gagging, but did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating from May 30, 2008 to August 3, 2008. From October 17, 2009, his service-connected hiatal hernia, GERD, and IBS were manifested by post-prandial abdominal pain, occasional dysphagia with gagging, recurrent heartburn, intestinal pain or cramping lasting up to two hours, and diarrhea occurring up to several times daily. However, these symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment prior to August 6, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation from service and is not otherwise related to service.,There is a preponderance of evidence against a nexus between a current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, and any incident in service. The Veteran was not exposed to asbestos and/or other toxic chemicals during service.

The Board denied service connection for GERD as it was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding no current disabilities or evidence linking them to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying dates of service and obtaining treatment records from identified facilities. The Veteran's current service-connected disabilities will also be evaluated.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations of his lumbar degenerative disc disease, hemorrhoids, and GERD have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 60 percent since October 5, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD. The Board has determined that a new VA examination and updated treatment records are needed to determine the etiology of the condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Barrett's esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any gastrointestinal disability, including gastroesophageal reflux disease or esophageal disorders. The case will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD has not been manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis or regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. Therefore, an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's GERD was not shown in service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish an etiological relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed GERD and his active service. The Board finds that the Veteran's current left eye cataract is less likely related to environmental exposure in the service and more likely as not related to his severe obesity, supine positioning, and tobacco use, all of which are strongly associated with cataracts. The right eye cataract etiology was not addressed by the VA examiner due to ambiguity in the Veteran's history provided in the treatment records. The dysphonia to include a speech disorder is less likely related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected depression is found to be the primary cause of his sleep disorder and chronic fatigue, which are granted as secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, and the Board has determined that these claims are inextricably intertwined with other issues. The case is therefore REMANDED to schedule a videoconference hearing before the undersigned VLJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA outpatient treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the current level of severity of his disabilities.