GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and conduct further examinations for his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, GERD, hypertrophy of the prostate, and a TMJ disorder as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection is not granted for dyslipidemia as it represents laboratory findings without an underlying malady.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current GERD is not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have any service-connected disabilities, and therefore, her claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD and post-operative scar has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling since June 21, 2010. The Board finds that the disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, chronic pancreatitis, gout (secondary to chronic pancreatitis), and GERD has been granted. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran is currently diagnosed with bipolar II disorder which is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between her current GERD and active service or her service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastroesophageal disorder was denied as there is no clinical evidence of such condition during or after his military service.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis has been rated at 10 percent since November 27, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition affects greater than five percent but less than 20 percent of exposed areas and no systemic therapy was indicated.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux and epigastric pain has been rated at 30 percent since November 27, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition manifests persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, heartburn, arm pain, nausea, vomiting and digestive pain.,The Veteran's bronchitis is considered part of his already service-connected COPD and thus cannot be rated separately. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition does not meet the criteria for a separate disability.,There is no evidence of chronic pneumonia at any point during the pendency of this appeal. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no indication of such an issue.,Hyperlipidemia was not considered a service-connected disability and thus cannot be rated. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as hyperlipidemia is merely a laboratory finding.,The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since November 27, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.,The Veteran does not have a gastrointestinal disability other than hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux and epigastric pain attributable to service. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition has been rated at 30 percent since November 27, 2008.,Allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis was not considered a service-connected disability and thus cannot be rated. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.,The May 1976 decision denying entitlement to service connection for plantar warts did not contain an outcome determinative error in applying the law extant at that time to the facts that were before the adjudicator. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there was no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.,The May 1976 decision denying entitlement to service connection for varicose veins did not contain an outcome determinative error in applying the law extant at that time to the facts that were before the adjudicator. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there was no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.,The May 1976 decision denying a rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma did not contain an outcome determinative error in applying the law extant at that time to the facts that were before the adjudicator. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there was no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, GERD at 10 percent, and right leg radiculopathy at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings are granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, while left ear hearing loss and gastritis (claimed as GERD) are not. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for post-concussive headaches and PTSD.,PTSD benefits were granted only for the period from June 15, 2009 to September 23, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD did not manifest during service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease was found to have its onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PUD with hiatal hernia and GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum for this condition under the rating schedule. The Board finds that his symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during service and is therefore granted. The low back and gastroesophageal reflux disease claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for depression. The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, depression, lumbosacral strain with arthritis, TDIU, and non-service-connected pension were denied.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,The Veteran's right leg disability is also due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,For the period prior to November 2, 2012, a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder has been granted. For the period since November 2, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted.,For the period prior to November 5, 2012, a 10 percent rating for asthma has been granted. For the period since November 5, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 30 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on limitation of motion has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 20 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on unilateral loss of whole or part of ramus involving loss of temporomandibular articulation has been granted.,A 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the right knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right lower extremity neuropathy has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For the period prior to December 13, 2012, a 10 percent rating for GERD has been granted. For the period since December 13, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from performing sedentary or light duty work, and the preponderance of evidence is against finding that he cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his disabilities.