GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, a left knee disability, a lower back disability, a sleep disorder, hypertension, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, acid reflux disease, a left ankle disability, a right ankle disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD was incurred in service and granted service connection. The esophageal disorder other than GERD is related to service, as are asthma and bronchitis. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder were denied.

The Board found that the appellant's preexisting GERD did not worsen during his period of active service and therefore denied service connection.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, constipation, gastritis, dysphagia, duodenitis, and esophagitis, is granted service connection. The Veteran's chronic rhinitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's currently demonstrated GERD was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that this aggravation is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, gynecomastia, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease (claimed as a bilateral leg condition), degenerative osteoarthritis at L3-4 (claimed as low back pain), left carotid occlusion, and bilateral hand injury have all been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or treatment for the claimed conditions. His post-service medical records indicate diagnoses of GERD in 2000, hypertension in 2005, and bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees beginning in 2004. The Board found no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and his GERD has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent. The right knee chondromalacia issue was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to appeal, and TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 20 percent since March 21, 2005.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent since March 21, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied her claim.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for his stomach condition, but the Board finds that there is no evidence prior to April 26, 2006, to support such a higher rating. The RO assigned the earliest possible effective date based on when the Veteran filed his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current upper and lower gastrointestinal disorders are not related to service, including her in-service peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, specifically GERD, is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not related to active service or any incident of service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, ankle disorders, knee disorders, hip disorders, and psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's GERD and antral gastropathy, from February 1, 2009 to March 20, 2017, are rated at a 10 percent evaluation. From March 20, 2017, the rating is increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current ear disability and gastrointestinal disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms or diagnoses within one year post-service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service events do not support a finding of causation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and lack of a meaningful analysis regarding continuity of symptoms since service.