GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was reopened and granted. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD for VA purposes. Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea, right foot hammertoes, left foot hammertoes, skin disorder (including elbows, knees, and hands), IBS, and GERD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at the highest possible rating under VA guidelines, with symptoms of severe health impairment.,PTSD was granted a 100% rating effective June 15, 2010. The Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, undress, keep clean, feed himself, or attend to the wants of nature.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of GERD and no evidence linking it to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected, and it is determined that his hypertension and GERD are secondary to this condition.,Service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD has been established. The Veteran's current hypertension is attributed to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD has also been established. The Veteran's current GERD is attributed to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's stage III kidney disease, which he claims are bowel and bladder problems, is found to be secondary to his hypertension. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further proceedings consistent with a Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR). The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and left hip disorder are inextricably intertwined with the issues of service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. Service connection is denied for COPD, Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome/Sleep Apnea, breathing problems (including bronchitis and emphysema), peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, ingrown toenails of lower extremities, GERD, and edema of lower extremities.

The Veteran's GERD, manifested by chest pain of fluctuating severity, is found to be service-connected.,Heart palpitations are not considered a separate disability and are linked to the already service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated examination to assess the current severity of his GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his GERD and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his low back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent evaluation. His other claims are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux warrants an initial 10 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease was granted, with an effective date of February 1, 2004. The current evaluation is 10 percent disabling since July 21, 2009.

The Veteran's GERD/hiatal hernia is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not consistently include dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation with considerable impairment of health.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for colorectal cancer and GERD, both potentially related to in-service herbicide or asbestos exposure. The examination is needed due to incomplete opinions from previous medical evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between his current conditions and military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to provide the Appellant with another VA examination to assess his employability due to nonservice-connected disabilities, including orthopedic conditions. The appeal will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is presumed service connected, his hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability rating, and he was granted a 10% rating for GERD.

The Veteran's right leg pain due to Achilles tendinitis is characterized by persistent pain and limitation of motion during flare-ups, warranting a rating higher than the current 20 percent.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for GERD prior to December 11, 2011 and denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for GERD from December 11, 2011.