GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings for GERD and low back disabilities have been withdrawn.,A 10 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's residuals of a left fifth metatarsal fracture.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted a rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression. Service connection was denied for ED, GERD, OSA, a GI disorder, and a sleep disorder (other than OSA). The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disorders, including diverticulosis coli, GERD, and gastroenteritis, are not related to his active military service or herbicide agent exposure. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder as it is not related to the Veteran's service-connected GERD. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a GI disorder other than GERD, which he asserts began in-service. The Board has requested an additional medical opinion to determine if the polyps found during his colonoscopy may have been present or developing during his service years.

The Veteran's GERD with peptic ulcer disease and deformity of the duodenal bulb is characterized by persistently recurring symptoms such as nausea, dysphagia, gas, sleep disturbance, pyrosis, and regurgitation. These symptoms are productive of considerable impairment of health but do not more nearly approximate material weight loss, hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia indicating severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability is rated at 20 percent, and his low back strain with clinical right L4, bilateral L5 lumbar radiculopathy is currently rated at 60 percent. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, arthritis condition, vision loss, genitourinary disability, liver disorder, multiple sclerosis, and dermatitis are denied as not supported by the evidence of record. The reduction in benefits due to removal of a spousal dependent was found to be proper.

The case is being remanded for further development and adjudication of the intertwined claims, including the claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. The Veteran's previously denied claim to reopen a service connection issue, as well as other service connection and increased rating claims are also on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolving in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia has not resulted in persistent recurrent symptoms that meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's malaria is not service connected and his GERD has been granted as a result of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his ulcer and reflux disease manifestations, including anemia and weight loss.

The Board has granted service connection for joint pain in the shoulders, knees, and ankles as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 10 percent, effective September 21, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for lumbar sacroiliitis with left lumbar facet syndrome and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability, MDD, and GERD have been granted increased ratings. The cholecystectomy residuals are not compensable.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied, with the exception of service connection for allergic rhinitis from February 20, 2007 through March 9, 2008. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for a testicular disorder.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a gastroenterologist regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, lumbar surgery, stomach condition, GERD, migraines, memory loss, and erectile dysfunction. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, National Guard records, VA treatment records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disease, skin disorder, heart condition secondary to PTSD, peripheral vestibular disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's left ear frostbite is also denied.