GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and GERD have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending as the issue has not yet been adjudicated. The Veteran was granted a noncompensable disability rating for GERD prior to May 23, 2008, but no higher.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his gastrointestinal disabilities are at least as likely as not related to service-connected PTSD. The case is remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's depression is service connected. The issue of service connection for GERD remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal disability, including GERD and GEJ ulcer, was found to be at least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected dysthymic disorder. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's GERD with gastritis and hiatal hernia is rated at 10 percent, effective September 8, 2015. The Veteran's left ankle fracture is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and providing him with VA examinations.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD, hypertension, and respiratory disability (claimed as COPD) are all found to have originated during his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, but his claims for glaucoma, GERD, and hypertension with dizziness were denied. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of hypertension with dizziness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his IBS was not more than severe in severity and that his left hip residuals did not meet criteria for ankylosis or other compensable limitations.

The Veteran's appeal for additional vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and readjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's current GERD did not have its onset during service and is not causally related to any in-service event, injury, or disease. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased rating for his service-connected condition and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal disease, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of jaw injury. The issues were remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board finds that a higher initial 30 percent rating is warranted for GERD.

The Veteran's GERD and left knee arthritis are found to have onset during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a distinct bronchial disorder or disability manifested by dizziness and fatigue during his period of service. Addison's Disease was also not present until more than one year after service, and there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected back disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is due to or a result of continuation treatment he had while on active duty. The Veteran's service records show mild degenerative changes in his knees from as early as two months prior to his entry into service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut this presumption.