GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's GERD is found to be secondary to medications used for his service-connected left shoulder disability. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated as part of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including loose bowels and/or diarrhea, gastritis, colon polyps, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will obtain his complete VA treatment records from March 2016 forward and schedule him for a VA gastrointestinal examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to clarify the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disability. The claim of service connection for GERD will also be remanded pending resolution of the psychiatric disability issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress and anxiety disorders, are related to his active duty service. The Board finds that these conditions were incurred in service and grants service connection for them. For gastroesophageal reflux disease, the Veteran is granted a rating but no effective date has been assigned as the claim was not fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's GERD is not shown to be caused or aggravated by VA medical treatment, and the Board finds that compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from VA-prescribed NSAIDs is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a kick in the face, sinusitis, and stomach disability (including GERD) are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions during or subsequent to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, sleep apnea, diabetic neuropathy/numbness of the feet, hypertension and GERD/acid reflux have all been denied as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and service connection for a disorder manifested by reflux, nausea, and severe weight loss are being remanded due to the Veteran's failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations. Further development is required.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, a gynecological disorder, hypertension, and anemia due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during her active duty.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis has been rated at 30 percent since October 25, 2005. The Board finds that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for consideration of TDIU from October 25, 2005 to February 8, 2006, and from September 1, 2006 to July 21, 2011, and from September 30, 2011 to August 29, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability during these periods.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of GERD or a gastric ulcer, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active service. The claim for both conditions is therefore denied.

The Veteran's GERD is manifested by epigastric pain, dysphagia, and pyrosis productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for GERD.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant an increase in rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability originated during his period of active duty due to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected gastrointestinal disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms, diagnosed as GERD, are not etiologically related to active service or exposure to environmental hazards. The claims for joint pain and muscle pain were also denied.

The Veteran's GERD with peptic ulcer disease is manifested by epigastric distress and regurgitation controlled by medication. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.