GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board denied service connection for GERD, arthritis of the right knee and leg, and bilateral flat feet. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related conditions, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person prior to December 11, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia have been granted service connection, but the increased evaluation for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia is denied.

The Veteran's overpayment debt for additional VA compensation benefits for her dependent spouse was granted, except for the period from April 2004 to October 2004 when she was not married.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosed sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. The service connection claim for GERD as secondary to sleep apnea was denied. For the initial rating period from September 24, 2008 to May 1, 2010, an initial disability rating of 10% for GERD was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for GERD, and there was no indication of severe impairment of health or other symptoms warranting a 60% rating. For his feet disabilities, the Board noted that the evidence did not show he required at least one month of convalescence following surgery. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was also denied as service connection is decided on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction has been granted, with a finding that it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The other issues are addressed in the remand portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia. The issues include entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent and an initial compensable rating for psoriasis.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including sleep disorders and a heart condition. He also seeks an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran claims he has a heart murmur that was incurred in service or due to his now service-connected disabilities, but the VA examiner found no pre-existing heart disorder at entry into service.,The Veteran contends that he has GERD which is related to military service. The VA examiner determined there is no evidence-based medical literature associating GERD with exposure to infectious agents from the Gulf War.,The Veteran claims his chiari malformation was aggravated by service, but the VA examiner found it congenital in origin and not aggravated during active duty.,The Veteran seeks an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The most recent examination is over 5 years old.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for gastritis with esophagitis, history of gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (other than gastroesophageal reflux disease) to include as secondary to anxiety disorder.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Crohn's disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS, GERD, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. Service connection has also been established for a low back disability and a headache disability (to include as due to 8th nerve damage).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues of service connection for headaches, seizure disorder, cardiac arrhythmia, and gastrointestinal problems are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board will address the issues on remand.

The Veteran's GERD was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's chronic constipation, however, had onset during active service.,The Veteran's GERD has been denied as it is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD or any other gastrointestinal condition, and as such, service connection for these conditions is denied.