GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected GERD, as there was no recent medical evaluation provided.

The Veteran's GERD results in complaints of esophageal distress, mild substernal pain, difficulty swallowing, pyrosis, regurgitation, and vomiting, sometimes with mild hematemesis. However, these symptoms do not result in considerable impairment of health.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's heart disease disability and assigned a 100 percent rating effective May 7, 2013. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the relationship between service-connected disabilities and current gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues due to finality of previous decisions.

The appeal is being remanded due to the inextricability of the TDIU claim with other service connection claims. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be adjudicated after a decision on his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is not related to mustard gas exposure in service, but his actinic keratosis is not shown to have been caused by mustard gas. The claim for GERD remains denied.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest due to decompensated cardiomyopathy, was not related to service or a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease that is presumed to be service connected in veterans exposed to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions and thus denied service connection for all issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not present in service and is unrelated to his service-connected disabilities, including as due to medications. Therefore, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right hand hypothenar numbness, GERD with H. pylori syndrome, and migraine headaches are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, GERD with Schatzki's ring and hiatal hernia, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for various knee conditions, arthritis, and Bell's palsy. Additionally, the Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hammer toe, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, left ankle arthritis, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and hepatitis C. The appeal is being remanded to allow for a new hearing before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a broken nose has been withdrawn.,Service connection was denied for stomach disorder (GERD) as the evidence does not support its occurrence or causation in relation to service.

The Veteran's GERD with gastroparesis and hiatal hernia has been productive of persistently recurrent epigastric distress, pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, substernal arm/shoulder pain, nausea, sleep disturbances, and recurrent vomiting. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, laxity and instability of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, laxity and instability of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and schedule him for a VA examination. The issue remains whether he should receive a higher rating for his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions are not supported by sufficient evidence to warrant higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 14, 2008, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from October 14, 2008, for GERD, status post hiatal hernia. The Board has no further jurisdiction in this matter.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's current percentage of impairment caused by his nonservice-connected disabilities, including spondylosis and any newly diagnosed conditions such as an enlarged prostate. The case will be remanded for these purposes.