GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and duodenitis had their onset in active service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia, and GERD have been manifested by asymptomatic conditions such as esophageal stricture, spasms of the esophagus or an acquired diverticulum of the esophagus with symptoms including pyrosis and regurgitation. The Board finds that a rating higher than 20 percent is not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bladder disability other than stress incontinence, stress incontinence, sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, and gastrointestinal disorder (including GERD, hiatal hernia, and residuals of a hernia repair) are all found to be related to her service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately compensates for his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, heart disorder, GERD, hypertension, and urinary frequency. The decision also addressed other issues such as non-service connected pension, increased rating for left shoulder tendonitis, and TDIU.

The Board found that there is no probative evidence establishing that the Veteran's esophagitis/GERD had its onset during active duty service or was related to such service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not service-connected, either as a direct result of his military service or as secondary to his PTSD. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was also denied on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the April 2009 statement of the case, and thus denied his claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acid reflux with achalasia is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's current stomach disability, diagnosed as GERD, is not related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not preexist his service and was not aggravated during service, leading to a denial of service connection. The GERD claim is also denied as it did not manifest within one year post-service and is not otherwise related to his active military service.

The Veteran's IBS and GERD have been rated at a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent since July 29, 2014. The Board has granted the Veteran a higher schedular rating for her IBS with GERD.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the onset and continuity of the Veteran's GERD symptoms, which were not adequately addressed in the previous examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for hiatal hernia with GERD, finding that his disability picture does not present such an exceptional or unusual case as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for GERD, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to her use of NSAIDs for her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and right middle ear dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's current conditions cannot be reasonably disassociated from his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection claims for an eye disability due to trauma by gunfire flash, and GERD as a result of asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have gastroenteritis or GERD that was caused by his service.