GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral knee disorder were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining private hospital records and ensuring all available VA treatment records are included in the file.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including diverticulosis and GERD, was rated at 10 percent prior to December 31, 2012. Beginning on December 31, 2012, the rating for his condition increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acid reflux, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a cervical spine disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's prostate disorder and gastrointestinal disorder to include a hiatal hernia and GERD are not related to his military service, either directly or secondary to his service-connected inguinal sprain. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including GERD, headaches, hypertension, and esophageal ulceration) are sufficient to warrant a TDIU prior to October 4, 2013.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS has been rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's Graves' disease and GERD with hiatal hernia resulted in disability ratings of 60 percent for Graves' disease prior to December 11, 2014, and 30 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia. The decision was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for a gastroenterologist examination to determine the nature and etiology of any gastrointestinal disorders, and arranging for a mental health provider examination to determine if any diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder is proximately due to his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been rated at a 30 percent disability level, which is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Videoconference hearing to present testimony regarding his claims of service connection for GERD and tonsillectomy residuals.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions did not manifest during a period of active military service and are not otherwise related to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal, sleep, neurological, and non-neurological disabilities are not related to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of etiological relationship between GERD and service, thus denying this claim. For PTSD, ratings were granted but with limitations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for low back disability, chest pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left shoulder disability, arthritis, bilateral knee disabilities, left ankle injury, and psychiatric disability. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, fatigue, and chronic bronchitis (claimed as asthma and COPD) is granted with an effective date of January 23, 2002. His GERD is found to be secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent since January 7, 2011. Prior to that date, the evidence does not show symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's GERD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to November 26, 2014. After the hearing in November 2014, a 30 percent rating is assigned from that date onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied her claim for service connection. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathy, and gastritis/GERD/diverticulosis are also addressed.