GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee strain, back disability (claimed as middle back condition), left shoulder strain, acid reflux (including heart burn) and traumatic brain injury are all granted.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected. The PTSD is assigned a 50% disability rating, the left knee and right knee conditions are each rated at 10%, the shoulder strains are not service-connected, the wrist condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the spine strain is rated at 10%, the ankle strains do not warrant a higher rating, the hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10%, and the headaches are assigned a 30% disability rating. The Veteran's hypertension, DVT, restless leg syndrome, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease are each rated at 10%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records, including from non-VA providers. The claims will be re-adjudicated after the records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis was found to be manifested by occasional or intermittent symptoms prior to July 25, 2008. A 30 percent rating is granted as of July 25, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a personnel file and arranging for an examination to determine if any stomach disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD warrants a 30 percent initial rating, and his MDD/PTSD warrant a 50 percent initial rating. The criteria for these ratings are met based on the severity of symptoms and impairment caused by the conditions.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated as noncompensably disabling prior to March 7, 2012, and 10 percent from that date. The current rating is appropriate given the symptoms of intermittent pain, nausea, regurgitation, reflux, pyrosis, diarrhea, and constipation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD with IBS warrants a 30 percent rating throughout the appeal period, but no higher.

The Veteran's stomach disability, including GERD and IBS, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or as a result of his military service. The Board found no evidence to support the presumption of herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unemployable. However, a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his conditions and determine if he meets the percentage requirement for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for eye disability, kidney disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, GERD, bladder disability, and skin disability have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to October 4, 2011 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support ratings in excess of these levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder and gastrointestinal disability are related to service, with no indication of aggravation by his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, a skin disorder, headaches, neuropsychological symptoms (muscle twitches), cardiovascular disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory disorders (claimed as mesothelioma), and GERD. The decision also addressed an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia and IBS are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, respiratory disorder (presumed due to herbicide exposure), and GERD, are not related to his active service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's GERD and lumbar spine disability have been granted increased ratings. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and GERD were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic intestinal or esophageal disabilities during service, nor any relationship to service.,VA examinations did not find current diagnoses of IBS or GERD, and the examiner noted that there was no indication of a nexus to service for any other gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right inguinal hernias, as well as service connection for GERD and allergies were denied. The Board found that the preexisting conditions did not increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the absence of proper notice for a requested hearing, and he would like to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Des Moines, Iowa.