GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied, but he received a grant for his left foot injury. The claims of service connection for neck disability, left eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss were not addressed as they are not service-connected. Service connection was granted for ED secondary to PTSD and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and irritable bowel secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for right foot disability, tinnitus, GERD, and onychomycosis of the toenails were not received by VA within one year after separation from service. Therefore, effective dates prior to May 19, 2011 are denied.,A 10 percent rating was granted for left foot disability with an effective date of May 19, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for Aid and Attendance of another person (A&A) or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his reported symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, but denied service connection for hypertension, GERD, a spinal disorder, and ED. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was not established for hypertension or GERD as they are not related to diabetes mellitus. Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right lower extremity were granted initial evaluations of 40 percent each.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD has been manifested by persistently recurrent dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation without substernal or arm/shoulder pain. The disability does not result in more than mild impairment of health.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral lower extremity amputations and prostate cancer, cause him to require regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal and sleep disorders were not shown to have developed as a result of his active service, and the Board finds that these conditions are not related to any period of military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, skin rash, gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, tingling feet, cardiovascular disorders, and back disorder. The appeal is considered on its merits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including a new examination to address the relationship between his gastrointestinal disability and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, effective February 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, and the case is remanded to determine if a higher rating above 30 percent is warranted. The appeals for initial compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and hypertension are also addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle disability, sleep disorder secondary to PTSD, GERD and gastrointestinal issues secondary to PTSD, erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, fibromyalgia secondary to PTSD, cervical spine disability, and loss of teeth #8 and #9. The primary issue is that the Veteran's claims are based on service connection for PTSD, which does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and providing a list of the appellant's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board finds that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, did not have its onset during active service. The current gastrointestinal disability was also not caused or permanently worsened by the use of prescription medications for his service-connected left knee and back disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for chest pain claimed as GERD and esophageal spasm, finding no competent evidence linking the current condition to service. Service connection was granted for hypertension with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran was unable to maintain substantial gainful employment from August 2006 to August 2007 due to service-connected disabilities, but has been able to obtain and maintain substantially gainful occupation since then.

The Board has granted service connection for dyspepsia and GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service in the Gulf War theater.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements and render him unemployable.