GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's GERD and chronic diarrhea with hiatal hernia have been rated at 30 percent since April 10, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and Sinusitis, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a right foot condition and GERD, but the claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis with deviated septum is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current GERD was not manifested during his active service or for many years thereafter, and is not shown to be caused by or permanently made worse by the service-connected cervical spine disability. Therefore, service connection for GERD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed heart, gastrointestinal, and neurological disabilities are not related to his active service or any service-connected disability. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's duodenitis and duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his service-connected colonic diverticulosis with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran may be entitled to separate ratings for the individual conditions.

The Board found that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's chronic bronchitis, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related to his military service. Service connection was granted for these conditions based on their presumptive relationship with his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), hemorrhoids, stomach ulcer, acid reflux, and sinusitis. The decision found that these conditions were not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the examiner found that his hearing loss was most likely age-related. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and GERD are not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than peptic ulcer disease with duodenal ulcer, as the Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD is not related to any in-service gastrointestinal symptoms or events.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder did not have its onset during active service and is not etiologically related to active service. The Board also determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability (GERD) is not rated higher than the currently assigned 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was denied, and his claim for an increased disability rating for GERD was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and GERD were denied by the RO. The Board remanded these issues, but the appeals remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with a Court decision, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is also being remanded.

The Veteran's lower back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. His left ear hearing loss and gastroesophageal disability are pending as additional evidence is needed to determine their etiology.