GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Board has denied service connection for IBS and GERD, finding no chronic gastrointestinal disability at any point during the appeal period. The effective date of August 9, 2007, for the award of service connection for a back disability is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, peptic ulcer and PTSD have been granted. The effective date of the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is October 6, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD has been rated at a 30 percent disability rating since April 12, 2009. The symptoms include persistent epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, and substernal pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his GERD with hiatal hernia and whether he has anemia as a result of this condition. The Veteran also contends that his flare-ups of symptoms are productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous condition, GERD, and left eye condition has been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support the claims.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due solely to his service-connected herniated disc disease with laminectomy, L5-6. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a Social Industrial Survey to assess his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right hip disorder (chondromalacia) is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's GERD is secondary to prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction secondary to a psychiatric disability and tinea pedis, have been granted. The initial rating assigned is 30 percent for dyssomnia.

The Veteran's GERD, IBS and status post-cholecystectomy are already rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is not shown to warrant a higher rating during any period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for GERD and uterine fibroids prior to specific dates, as well as the claim for an initial rating for temporomandibular disorder, were granted. The claim for service connection for gallbladder polyps was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disorder is rated at a maximum of 60 percent, and the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's acid reflux or GERD did not originate during service and is not caused by any in-service event, including her service-connected sinusitis. The condition was more likely attributable to obesity.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that these conditions are related to his military service.,For the remaining issues, including hypertension and GERD, additional medical records need to be obtained and an addendum opinion from the September 2012 VA examiner is required.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that service connection for erectile dysfunction is warranted, secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including updated employment and educational history, VA treatment records, and a comprehensive examination to determine the severity of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her employability.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for sinus disability, muscle and joint pain, trouble swallowing (GERD), and headaches. These issues are now remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disorder with dyspepsia, predominantly manifested by GERD and IBS symptoms, warrants a 30 percent disability rating from December 27, 2007 to July 7, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and records. The issues of service connection for constipation, a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU rating are now before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that his preexisting GERD was aggravated by his military service.