GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for GERD and gunshot wound residuals to the abdomen with scarring was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities, including his vision disorders and other health conditions, have resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance from another person since September 8, 2016. His income does not exceed the maximum annual pension rate for nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the aforementioned issues, and they are hereby dismissed.

The Veteran's GERD and peptic ulcer disease are rated at a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7346, which is the most fitting diagnostic code for his condition. The Board finds that these conditions do not warrant an increased rating as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for a recurrent gastrointestinal disorder, to include IBS. The Veteran's IBS is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of a sleep disorder and an increased rating for GERD with esophagitis. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD has not been manifested by vomiting, weight loss or severe impairment of health. As such, the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lower back disability, skin cancer residuals, or gastrointestinal disorder/Barrett's esophagus that is related to his period of service.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be established as there is no evidence of disease or injury during service and no medical opinion linking any current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and reopened the claim for a skin disorder. The Veteran's right wrist, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and/or hiatal hernia), and psychological disorder other than PTSD have been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10% throughout the appeal period. The Board has now granted a 30% rating, finding that her symptoms of recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm pain, cause considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and GERD, finding that the evidence did not establish a direct link to active military service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's PTSD was also considered as potentially contributing to these conditions.

The Veteran's metastatic adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, including esophageal, stomach, liver and brain cancers, is found to be service-connected. The issue of a compensable rating for Meniere's syndrome remains pending.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia has not produced symptoms that warrant a higher disability rating, and the preponderance of evidence is against assigning a higher rating.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, and his eczema dyshidrosis was also granted service connection with a 10 percent rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current GERD or ulcer disorder that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service. The evidence also does not show that these conditions were caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected disability.

The Veteran meets the criteria for basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically a TDIU.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's GERD was caused or aggravated by his use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he has been employed full-time with VA since September 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of whether his employment qualifies as a protected work environment.