GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than IBS, including GERD. The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD are found to have their onset in service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of her left knee disability, gastrointestinal (GI) condition(s), and PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is the result of in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection due to noise exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia, low back disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted a rating of 10 percent effective June 2, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for TMJ, prostatitis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a left elbow disability, GERD, migraines (to include as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea), right ear hearing loss, and hypertension during his October 2016 Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's stomach disability, including as secondary to PTSD and due to Agent Orange exposure, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that the hiatal hernia is a congenital condition and not caused or permanently aggravated beyond normal progression by military service, PTSD, Agent Orange exposure, or alcohol ingestion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's GERD with history of hiatal hernia has worsened, and the VA needs to obtain updated medical records and conduct a new examination to assess his current disability level.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various conditions and service connection claims. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and ensuring all relevant VA treatment records are associated with the file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), residuals of mole removal, skin rash, right knee disability, and hernia disability, status post appendectomy are all service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the effective dates being May 28, 2010 for tinnitus and September 12, 2016 for PTSD. The grant of service connection was based on presumptive exposure to herbicides (gulf war).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is service connected as it began during his active duty service and he has provided credible testimony supporting this claim.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 12, 2010. The RO has reopened the claims for service connection for a left leg disability, dental condition, and headaches.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease lumbosacral spine with herniated disc pulposus L5-S1 is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 26, 2008. The Veteran has been granted a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 19, 2017. The Veteran was previously granted service connection for this condition in July 2017 and has not been awarded a higher rating.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is currently rated as non-compensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of service-connected compensation benefits in the calculated amount of $24,239.47 due to fault on the part of the Veteran and lack of undue hardship.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected GERD, finding that his symptoms are productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernia, and diverticulitis of the colon were not manifest in service or related to service. The Board denied these claims as there was no evidence that they are connected to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current GERD is at least as likely as not related to his service, and granted service connection for a digestive disease, claimed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).