GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal/rectal bleeding, congestive heart failure, acid reflux disability, and tooth disability were not caused by VA treatment. The proximate cause was deemed to be the Veteran's own actions or an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they are either unrelated to his military service or were present many years after separation.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been granted and rated at 30 percent, effective August 16, 2011. The initial compensable rating of 10 percent for acid reflux is also granted.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under the criteria for hiatal hernias with symptoms of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal due to satisfaction with her current 100 percent combined disability rating.

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus warrants a 10 percent rating from the earlier effective date of February 7, 2012; a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for any period of time under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for eczema/herpetic lesions is granted. Service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including GERD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed condition during the appeal period and it is not related to service. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 19, 2009 was granted. The RO has already granted the Veteran a 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability effective from April 16, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the need for a statement of the case on service connection claims for bladder cancer and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The Veteran's claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease remains under review.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims and granted them, with some issues receiving staged ratings. The effective date for the award of PTSD is set at April 9, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected GERD and his newly diagnosed esophageal cancer.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD with chronic heartburn, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1117 has been dismissed as moot because it is encompassed in the award of service connection for hiatal hernia, digestive condition/chronic diarrhea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal problems, including his service-connected PTSD and GERD, contributed to his death from esophageal cancer. The claim for cause of death is granted.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and a sleep disorder, finding no current disability meeting DSM-IV criteria. The Veteran's symptoms were found to be related to his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to claims for service connection and TDIU being separately remanded. The Veteran's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, prior to June 9, 2011 is also on appeal.