GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The issues of stomach disability, depression, right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, hiatal hernia, and chronic diarrhea, has been rated at 10 percent since April 24, 2013. The Board finds that the criteria for a 10 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing at his local RO. The primary issue is whether he should receive a higher rating for Crohn's disease and GERD, with an additional request for a separate compensable rating for GERD.

The Veteran's tinea pedis is characterized by symptoms of crusting on less than one percent of the whole body; dermatitis that covers at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body or exposed areas, or intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past 12-month period has not been shown.,A heart disorder, sinusitis, back disorder, migraines and GERD were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected digestive disorders, including gastric ulcer with gastritis, GERD, and chronic diarrhea, are rated at 30 percent. The Veteran also has a compensable rating for his deviated nasal septum. For the period prior to July 14, 2014, he is entitled to a 50 percent rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran is in receipt of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, effective January 27, 2012. The Board found that prior to August 11, 2014, his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for an enhanced/higher level of SMC.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's fatigue is not a separate condition and is instead related to his service-connected PTSD and morbid obesity.,Service connection was also denied for fatigue. The Board found that the Veteran's fatigue is due to well-established diagnoses including his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastroesophageal disorder, claimed as GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service gastrointestinal issues.

The Veteran's IBS, HH, and GERD are currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome. The criteria for a higher rating (60%) require symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health. None of these symptoms have been shown.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101. The criteria for a higher rating (20%) require diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. None of these conditions have been shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia, status post repairs, with GERD originated during his active service and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The gastrointestinal and/or abdominal disability, including the residuals of ventral hernias and GERD, are also granted as they are considered direct service-connected based on evidence showing their onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied due to his own willful misconduct in the motor vehicle accident of April [redacted], 1975. The Board found that none of the conditions claimed were related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is granted, with the effective date set at May 20, 2004. The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused or aggravated by service exposure to aircraft engine noise, as evidenced by normal audiometric results during service and no significant threshold shifts.,His gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as stomach, reflux, and ulcer disorder), to include GERD and duodenal ulcer, did not manifest within one year after discharge from service. The Veteran's current symptoms are more consistent with post-service occupational exposures rather than a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's arthritis of the hands and GERD have been granted service connection, with a 10% rating for GERD.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, but has not determined whether it is warranted as the evidence does not establish that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for Crohn's disease with GERD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were both found to be not supported by the evidence. The Veteran's Crohn's disease is rated at 30 percent, and he does not have any service-connected disability related to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War, or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346. The symptoms are intermittent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA examination to address whether there was a clear and unmistakable increase in GERD during service, and if not, whether it is due to natural progression of the pre-existing condition.