GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right knee injury, patella fracture, post-operative is not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a stomach condition related to military service. The Veteran's current gastritis and GERD are less likely caused by his prescribed medications for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health, warranting a 30 percent evaluation throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on all issues, including the claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been granted, with a final effective date of February 6, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current digestive tract disability, including hiatal hernia with GERD and stomach issues, is not causally related to her military service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for service connection for a muscle cramp disability over the flank region. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the March 2015 remand directives. As such, an additional remand is required before the Board may make a determination on the merits of the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 15, 2016. Since that date, his combined scheduler disability rating was 100%, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bruxism and internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are service-connected as secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for bilateral hip conditions, restless leg syndrome, or a gastrointestinal disorder. Service connection is granted for PF with an initial rating of 30 percent effective May 13, 2009.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an upper gastrointestinal disability, but further development is needed due to the Veteran's death and the need for medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any such disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, but denied his claims for service connection for monoclonal gammopathy, Raynaud's disease, and atrial fibrillation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's service. The issues on appeal include reopening claims for heart disorder and gunshot wound residuals, as well as a claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with history of duodenal ulcer is currently rated as 30 percent disabling since January 28, 2016.,The Veteran's stress fracture of the left tibia was initially noncompensably disabling and has been increased to a 10 percent rating effective January 28, 2016.

The Board has received a request from the appellant for withdrawal of their appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, acid reflux, and sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the potential causes of these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are not productive of considerable or severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since January 13, 2012. His shrapnel wounds to the lower extremities have not met criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and sleep apnea were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active duty. The claims are therefore denied.