GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastroesophageal disorder, including GERD post-ulcer treatments, is being remanded due to missing or destroyed service records and the need to obtain additional medical evidence from private providers.

The Veteran seeks service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including as due to undiagnosed illness. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide an opinion on the relationship between his current conditions and service exposure.

The Veteran's BPPV is presumed to have been incurred during service, and the criteria for service connection are met.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's GERD and his service or any service-connected disability. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal conditions, including GERD and IBS, were not present during service or for many years thereafter and are not otherwise etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, hepatitis C rating, right foot condition, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board found no evidence of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal disorders in service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to her request for a Travel Board hearing, and these matters are now pending before the Atlanta RO.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS and GERD are currently rated at the maximum allowable under the rating schedule, and there is no evidence of additional disability warranting a higher rating. The claim for TDIU has also been denied.

The Veteran's GERD and depression associated with lumbar disc disease have been rated based on their current manifestations, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD is related to his in-service heartburn and treatment, granting service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for epididymitis remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's residuals of a colonoscopy and bowel perforation surgery are not related to VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill in providing a December 2008 colonoscopy. The Veteran's current gastrointestinal complaints predate his 2008 procedure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma consistent with his combat service in Iraq. Service connection for the condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for GERD, esophagitis, and gastritis was dismissed as moot due to a prior rating decision finding clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The appeal is not pending.,The Veteran was granted TDIU with an effective date of June 24, 2011. The Board found that the evidence showed the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of this date.

The Veteran's right tarsal tunnel syndrome with peroneal neuropathy and complex regional pain is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.,For GERD and IBS, a rating of 30 percent has been granted effective October 3, 2011. The Veteran's condition continues to meet the criteria for this higher rating.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms are considered mild without medication.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence and need for a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD.