GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is denied for all issues except the entitlement to an extended period of a temporary total rating for convalescence status-post total right knee replacement, which has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for GERD (diagnosed as gastritis) and bilateral macular retinal degeneration were denied in a June 2006 rating decision. The RO found that the evidence did not relate either disability to her active duty.,Since then, new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's digestive disorders (other than the service-connected stomach ulcer pathology) were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected stomach ulcer pathology nor other service-connected disability.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds a higher rating is not warranted.,For his bilateral foot disability, the Veteran was previously assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent for each foot is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's acid reflux/hiatal hernia and bilateral hand disability have been granted service connection, while the claim for Hepatitis A has not met the criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of back injury, a neck disorder, gastrointestinal disability, diabetes mellitus, and glaucoma. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hiatal hernia with GERD, gastric ulcer, and Barrett's esophagus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively confine him to his dwelling and its immediate premises, qualifying for SMC based on the need for aid and assistance or housebound status.

The Veteran's GERD warrants a 10 percent rating effective from August 25, 2005. The Board finds that the symptoms of his GERD have been present since at least 2005 and meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is manifested by recurrent epigastric distress with pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board grants a disability rating of 30 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's GERD is etiologically related to medications used to treat his service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his GERD and obstructive sleep apnea, thus granting service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Veteran's heart disorder, GERD, hypertension, and syncope were not shown to be related to his military service. The Board denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease) prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of private treatment and conducting examinations to assess the Veteran's hiatal hernia and abdominal scar.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD has been rated as 30 percent disabling since the effective date of service connection, which is more nearly approximated by his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chest pain due to GERD is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, which he claims is related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the onset of GERD in service or its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection for any of the claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for decreased kidney function was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for anemia was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sixth cranial nerve palsy was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic retinopathy was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy was denied as there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection.