GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's GERD has been manifest by epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, which have resulted in considerable impairment of health. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, to include acid reflux and ulcers, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active duty. The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's GERD, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 60 percent since November 10, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The Veteran's GERD is related to NSAIDs taken for his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board denied the claim for a heart disability, finding no current evidence of such condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10% prior to August 25, 2011. From that date, the rating was increased to 30%. The Veteran presented with symptoms of epigastric burning and acid taste in the throat without dysphagia or hematemesis.

The Board has ordered the case REMANDED to the AOJ for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case addressing all issues currently on appeal, including consideration of additional evidence added to the record since the August 2012 statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD, TBI residuals, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of visual impairment or disfigurement, and found that his symptoms are managed by daily use of medication. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome was not granted as there is no underlying disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD did not manifest during her periods of active service and is not otherwise due to a period of active service or period of active duty for training. The Board also noted that there was no evidence showing that the GERD developed secondary to medications used for her service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claimed conditions or their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to his request for withdrawal of these matters prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a link between the condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,For the period prior to April 23, 2014, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The current disability does not result in severe impairment.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling an RO hearing. The issues on appeal include ratings for various conditions and disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD and hiatal hernia, status post Nissen fundoplication with residual scar resulted in persistently recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, heartburn, reflux, regurgitation, and sleep disturbance. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for this condition.