GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and its complications has been withdrawn. The current evaluation of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus is maintained, as there are no compensable diabetic complications.

The Board has been notified that the appellant wishes to withdraw her appeal, including the issues of initial evaluations for gastroesophageal reflux disease and scar, residuals of septoplasty.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 30 percent rating for GERD with hiatal hernia, esophagitis, and esophageal stricture.

The Veteran's GERD and dyspepsia are not considered service-connected as they are attributed to a known clinical diagnosis, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of a psychiatric disability and GERD.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with Schatzki's rings, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service connected, but his GERD with hiatal hernia is secondary to a service-connected ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, reschedule examinations, and request the submission of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD have not been manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. As a result, the initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia and GERD has been denied.

The Board finds that service connection for a GI disorder, to include GERD, is warranted as the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's GI disability, to include GERD, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD was manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress, pyrosis, regurgitation, chest and shoulder pain, and belching. The Board found that a 30 percent initial disability rating for the period prior to March 21, 2011, is warranted.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative joint diseases are rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's GERD was initially rated as noncompensably disabling prior to May 7, 2009, and has been rated at 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including panic disorder with agoraphobia) is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's residuals of a fractured nose to include sinusitis are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a disability manifested by dizziness due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of service in Southwest Asia. Service connection was denied for stomach pain, acid reflux (GERD), and joint pain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's representative suggested an addendum opinion regarding his GERD claim.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease and GERD are rated by analogy as ulcerative colitis, resulting in marked malnutrition, anemia, and general debility. The Board finds that the evidence warrants a maximum 100 percent evaluation for her Crohn's disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of joint pain, gout, arthritis, GERD, headaches, or erectile dysfunction related to his military service. The sleep disorder is considered a separate entity and not directly related to PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for PFB and tinea versicolor effective July 28, 2005. The Veteran's claim was filed on May 15, 2006, which is considered the date of receipt of the claim.