GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for GI disorders and back disorders due to his failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 21, 2010. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating. Posttraumatic headaches are also service-connected and rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD are as least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia, status-post laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, has been rated at 10 percent since November 2007. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher 30 percent rating are met due to persistent recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, lung cancer, and GERD. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether each current breathing/respiratory disability was incurred in or caused by active service, including the in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 1, 2005 forward. The Board granted TDIU effective November 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, effective dates, and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the substantive appeal was not timely filed in several cases.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, and the Board granted his claims for PTSD from July 13, 2009, TDIU prior to that date, and DEA benefits with an effective date prior to July 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, including Barrett's esophagus, GERD, hiatal hernia, and reflux esophagitis, was denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current disabilities and his military service.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new medical evidence. However, it remains denied as there is no established link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims, including a new VA lumbar spine examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, migraines, and other conditions, have rendered him in need of aid and attendance. He is therefore granted special monthly compensation based on a demonstrated need for such assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related to his service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the appellant's current GERD is not causally related to his active service or any incident therein, and denied both claims of entitlement to service connection for GERD and a disability manifested by vertigo, headaches, and dizziness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, with the exception that he met the percentage requirements for a TDIU on March 12, 2009. The Board finds that his claim for an extra-schedular TDIU prior to March 12, 2009 is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, acid reflux, and headaches. The evidence submitted is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and GERD have been granted, with a 50% rating for PTSD effective March 17, 2010, and a 0% rating for GERD effective September 5, 2010. The GERD rating is the highest possible under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service experiences and his current GERD diagnosis, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and IBS. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion inadequate due to reliance on lack of in-service treatment records without considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a pulmonary disorder or GERD, and thus the claims for service connection are denied.