GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted a dependency allowance for the Veteran's dependent spouse, K.M.V., and has reopened several previously denied claims of service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for otitis media and service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, GERD, erectile dysfunction, renal failure, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and TDIU. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional development regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ulcerative colitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gynecological disorder has been denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability related to her in-service gynecological problems and surgeries. Her claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD remains pending.

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

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including acid reflux and/or a stomach ulcer, is not shown to have been incurred in or to otherwise be the result of military service.

The Veteran's diabetes is related to his military service, and the other conditions are secondary to this disability. The case must be remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature of the Veteran's diabetes and its relationship to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. Therefore, she is entitled to specially adapted housing but not special home adaptations.

The Veteran's hypertension is caused by his service-connected diabetes with early nephropathy. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence indicates that the Veteran's diagnosed stomach condition and urinary disorder are related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for his service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia, but further development is needed to determine if he is eligible for an even higher rating.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and depressive disorder with sleep problems, which prevent him from working.

The Veteran's digestive disability, characterized by abdominal pain and distension, constipation, diarrhea, fecal leakage, mucus and blood in stools, incomplete evacuation, indigestion, nausea, gas, and bloating, is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7319 for irritable colon syndrome. The Veteran argues that this rating does not adequately compensate for her overall disability picture.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD. The VA examiner found it less likely as not that the GERD was incurred in or caused by the digestive condition and bitter tasting vomit during service. However, due to the insufficient evidence documented during military service, there are no evidence of a persistent digestive condition related to GERD.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for GERD, which he claims was caused by his service-connected PTSD. The Board has ordered additional development as the opinion on direct service connection is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are not related to his service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Veteran's duodenitis and duodenal ulcer with GERD have been rated as 40 percent disabling since October 2000. The Board finds that the current rating appropriately reflects the Veteran's disability level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his claimed disabilities are related to his active service and whether the onychomycosis, left big toe, is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.