GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ due to inadequate reasons and bases for denying service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including Crohn's disease, IBS, and GERD. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine if his current gastrointestinal disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for herniated discs at L4-5 and L5-S1, migraine headaches, and GERD. The evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and lumbar spine hypertrophic osteoarthritis did not meet the criteria for higher ratings, while the left ear hearing loss was rated at its maximum allowable level of Level I impairment. PTSD met the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to December 12, 2011, but from that date forward, it did not warrant an increased rating beyond 30 percent. The GERD and hiatal hernia with gallbladder disease were rated at their maximum allowable level of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a thyroid disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and reflux esophagitis), and headaches as due to undiagnosed illness in the Persian Gulf War. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) on a secondary basis to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic sinusitis or GERD in service or within one year of separation from service, nor did it support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations, as well as to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered in the adjudication of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that these conditions did not manifest during or as a result of active military service. The claim for service connection related to radiation exposure was also denied, with no evidence linking any current disabilities to such exposure.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disability, asthma, hemorrhoids, Morton's neuroma, sinusitis, hypertension, right and left shoulder disabilities, a right knee disability, otitis media, rhinitis, costochondritis, GERD, headaches, and left testicle epididymitis. The Veteran does not have hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected low back and lower extremity disabilities or gastritis. The case has been remanded due to the need for an upper endoscopy and a new opinion on whether GERD is aggravated by NSAID use or service-connected gastritis.

The Board denied an increased rating for left knee disability and service connection for gastrointestinal disorders. The Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorders are not related to service, and the left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radicular symptoms of degenerative disc disease, disc bulges, and spondylolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine, absence of right peroneal and left sural sensory responses (claimed as bilateral heel numbness; also claimed as muscle atrophy of the extensor digitum brevis (EDB) muscle bilaterally; also claimed as absence of right sural sensory response), and acid reflux disease. The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's diagnosed GERD is not etiologically related to his active military service and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD, bilateral knee disability, bilateral arm disability, or right hip disability.,VA examinations were not required for these claims as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumption period.

The Veteran's sinus disease, originally claimed as anterior and posterior table left frontal sinus fracture, is granted service connection.,Service connection for onychodystrophy, tinea pedis, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's GERD was granted an initial rating of 10 percent effective February 2, 2010. Service connection for right shoulder injury and right knee injury were denied. Service connection for migraine headaches secondary to PTSD was granted. Service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Barrett's Esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hiatal hernia with peritoneal adhesions was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and residuals of esophageal cancer, finding that these conditions are related to his naval service. The prostate cancer claim is remanded due to potential exposure in Vietnam.