GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and his GERD is rated as 30 percent disabling. Both conditions are considered to be of direct service origin.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his GERD with duodenal ulcer has been withdrawn.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux disorder/GERD and remanded the issue of an effective date prior to May 9, 2011 for the award of service connection for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is found to have begun in service and has continued since then. The Veteran's lumbar strain status post microdiscectomy is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an ulcer disability and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw all his appeals except for the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities, and there was no evidence to support higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing and further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for severe obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a bilateral knee disability due to new evidence. The claims are otherwise denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for IBS with hiatal hernia and GERD was granted, effective January 6, 2015. The RO considered the impact of the hiatal hernia and GERD from that date onwards.,An effective date earlier than February 20, 2007, for the grant of service connection for IBS is being sought.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD and addressing his in-service symptoms. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective date were denied. The initial compensable evaluations assigned prior to November 21, 2013, are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear opinions from previous VA examiners and a need for an examination in accordance with VA Gulf War Guidelines.

The Veteran's right foot bunionectomy with DJD first metatarsal has resulted in a 10 percent rating effective November 1, 2009.,The Veteran's GERD with diverticulosis coli warrants a 30 percent rating effective November 1, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to determine the etiology of his GERD disability and its relationship to service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD, an increased rating for PTSD, and a TDIU prior to November 29, 2012 have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD and low back disability are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus has been manifested by subjective complaints of heartburn, reflux, nausea and vomiting. However, there is no objective evidence of dysphagia, substernal or arm/shoulder pain, significant anemia, malnutrition or other symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.