GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle tendonitis and arthritis, as well as lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not found to be related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for acid reflux, kidney condition, and prostate disorder. The current diagnoses were not shown in service or within one year post-service separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was not found to be related to his active duty service or caused by pain medication used for his service-connected disabilities. His bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to October 22, 2015, but the Board determined that a compensable rating is warranted since July 26, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's GERD had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service, including as due to in-service stress and unsanitary conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for hiatal hernia and GERD, finding that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and any pertinent medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an unspecified anxiety disorder. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, bilateral eye disorders, gastrointestinal disorder (including acid reflux), and skin disorder are denied.

The Veteran's neck disability and GERD were evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, but no IVDS was found. The VA examiners noted that the Veteran had DDD in his cervical spine without evidence of IVDS.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not related to his service or any service-connected disabilities, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's IBS was not manifested in service and is not shown to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for GERD secondary to PTSD was remanded.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability, and therefore service connection for GERD is granted.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and associated symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating since January 14, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of active duty service and obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, GERD, residuals of cold injury, right lower extremity sciatica, and right ankle disorder will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders are not related to military service.,Regarding her fibromyalgia, the VA examiner found no history of evaluation, treatment, diagnosis or chronicity of symptoms for fibromyalgia during military service. The examiner also found she currently does not meet the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and opinions regarding service connection for various conditions, including benign prostate hyperplasia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, hiatal hernia, GERD, PUD, chronic colitis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of both hips, degenerative joint disease of both knees, and degenerative joint disease of both feet.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for Graves' disease, kidney disorder, or GERD and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted. The appeals on the other issues were dismissed due to withdrawal by the accredited representative.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to her request for withdrawal.