GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Veteran seeks service connection for GERD, which he claims existed during service and is related to his already service-connected peptic ulcer disease. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, headache disability, and GERD have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. The headaches are rated at 30% since they cause more than one migraine per month but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of severe economic inadaptability. The GERD has required continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, an earlier effective date prior to May 9, 2011 for his PTSD and MDD rating increase, service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD and MDD, and TDIU prior to June 9, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran's GERD did not manifest during active military service and was not caused or aggravated by service-connected PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to December 5, 2011 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter for deformity of the duodenal bulb with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claims for right and left ankle disabilities, low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, and right hip disability. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability is REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal disability, irritable colon syndrome, and skin disability. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is also found to be related to service. Service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations in accordance with the DSM-5, as well as obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during active military service, resulting in the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not due to an undiagnosed illness and it was not incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including peptic ulcer disease and GERD, as well as secondary service connection due to PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence suggesting a relationship to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for GERD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have ischemic heart disease and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for GERD is pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, GERD, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The reasons provided were that there was no confirmed diagnosis of these conditions in service or since service separation, and continuity of symptoms since service could not be established.

The Veteran's gastritis, duodenitis, and gastroesophageal reflux have been rated at 60 percent since August 2009. This rating is based on the severity of his symptoms which include persistent abdominal pain, heartburn, regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, and episodes of hematemesis or melena.

The Board found that GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Barrett's esophagus are related to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis far advanced, inactive.

The Veteran's service-connected status post esophagitis with chronic GERD is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected GERD and IBS.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or pain to shoulder level, warranting a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's current GERD is found to have onset in service and the evidence supports a finding that it was incurred during active duty.