GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including GERD and H. pylori infection, asthma, bilateral foot disability, left knee and right knee DJD, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, and liver disability other than cavernous liver hemangioma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran developed this condition due to his active service. The claims for anemia, prostate disability, and gastrointestinal disability (GERD) were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,A 30 percent evaluation, but no higher, for GERD beginning April 4, 2012, is granted. TDIU prior to January 2, 2013, is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as likely related to elevated blood pressure during active duty.,Since December 31, 2008, the Veteran has been granted initial compensable evaluations for anal fistula and GERD.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The tumor on the left side of the throat was incurred during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's digestive disorders were not incurred during and are not related to his active duty service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty service, and are not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and bruxism/ TMJ disorder manifested during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a psychiatric disability (depression), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied. The claim for service connection for loss of memory has also been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is pending as additional development is needed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for GERD.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's GERD is etiologically related to service, including as a result of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the submitted evidence.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including service connection for various disorders. The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including initial compensable rating for GERD and increased ratings for knee and cervical spine conditions. The reduction in the disability rating from 20 to 0 percent for left knee instability effective July 17, 2014 was found proper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and increased ratings for GERD with bile acid gastritis and IBS have been denied. The Board found no evidence of direct service connection or secondary aggravation, and the medical opinions were against these claims.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted a 10 percent rating effective April 20, 2016. His bilateral hearing loss disability and left foot plantar fasciitis claims remain pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), restless leg syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and needs further review by a physician with expertise on herbicide exposure. The Veteran's GERD may be related to his in-service exposure, but more evidence is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 8, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he was incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.