GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal problems, finding that the symptoms did not manifest during active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Veteran's current symptoms were attributed to post-service factors such as HIV medications.

The Veteran's hypertension and acid reflux are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology, as well as the impact on his employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate VA examinations in the May 2012 decision. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and hiatal hernia, are being evaluated again to determine if they are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition is found to be secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder. His current rating for these conditions remains at 50 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's postoperative residuals from the June 2007 esophagectomy are not related to in-service heartburn and GERD, as there is no credible evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hip disorder, heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or hypertension that was incurred in service. The Board also found no evidence of a right knee disorder that is related to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD have been service-connected, but the VA has not granted a compensable rating for either condition. For hypertension, the evidence does not show diastolic pressures predominantly 100mm Hg or more requiring continuous medication control. For GERD prior to May 8, 2014, the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10% rating as they were not persistent and severe enough to warrant such an evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of pancreatitis with GERD and gall bladder removal is being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claim will be adjudicated again after the requested development.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD or duodenitis, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a gastrointestinal disability due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, and GERD have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for his sleep disorder secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which meet the schedular threshold requirement.

The Veteran's GERD and CAD were evaluated at their current levels, with no increase in ratings granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to consider all pertinent evidence, including recent VA outpatient records.

The Board has determined that GERD was incurred in service and granted the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue of an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for post-surgical hernia of the abdominal wall is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders and gastrointestinal issues, were denied as there is no current disability or evidence of a causal relationship to active military service.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, manifested by infrequent epigastric distress or dyspepsia, has not been shown to be productive of considerable impairment of health. Therefore, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD have not been met.

The Veteran's left leg fracture with a healed tibia fracture does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of nonunion requiring a brace. The current 30% rating remains appropriate.,For the period prior to March 30, 2009, the Veteran's left ankle disability was rated as 10%. Since that date, it has been rated at 20%, reflecting marked limitation of motion and pain on use.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10% disabling. The current rating remains appropriate given his symptoms.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and colonic polyps was granted, but rated at 10 percent prior to January 24, 2011.

The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for the duodenal ulcer effective September 7, 1994. The Veteran's current gastrointestinal symptoms are considered to be due to his service-connected duodenal ulcer.