GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability can be decided. The case is REMANDED to allow for a VA examination and further analysis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board finds that the Veteran's skin disorders and GERD are not related to his military service, including as due to herbicide exposure. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis (other than the right ankle and cervical and lumbar spine) has been denied. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability remains pending, as does the claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, claimed as GERD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cough, to include a respiratory disorder and/or GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of whether his GERD is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected testicular carcinoma will also be addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right foot, and left shoulder disabilities. The gastrointestinal disability was not found to be incurred in or due to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and GERD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS and GERD did not manifest during service or are related to any incident of service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's esophageal stricture is found to be secondary to his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to military sexual trauma in service, and she has other psychiatric disorders that are secondary to her PTSD.,The Veteran's GERD and sleep apnea are found to be secondary to her PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disorder, gum disease (claimed as a hernia), residuals of gall bladder removal, GERD, and coronary artery disease have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions or exposure to herbicides during the Veteran's service in Korea.

The Board finds that there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorder and his military service. The Veteran was not diagnosed with GERD or any other gastrointestinal condition during service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and an increased rating for left knee disability. The Veteran's hiatal hernia/GERD is not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active military service, while his limitation of extension of the left knee prior to October 7, 2014, warrants a separate rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not causally related to a service-connected disability. The issue of an increased evaluation for exercise-induced asthma with fatigue remains under development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred in service. The uterine fibroids that led to her hysterectomy are considered a separate disability from those noted during service. Chest pain is determined to be a chronic condition not related to the Veteran's service-connected GERD or other disabilities. Drug-induced hepatitis and/or hepatotoxicity is found to be secondary to medication for hypertension.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) effective from December 4, 2012. The Veteran's symptoms have included recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, substernal arm or shoulder pain, periodic nausea, and occasional burping, which required continuous medication.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service connected. The upper gastrointestinal disability (GERD) and lower gastrointestinal disability (intestinal hypermobility, gastroenteritis, and irritable bowel syndrome) are both service-connected as separate disabilities.