GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of his dysthymic disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his employment throughout the relevant appeal period is considered substantial.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1805 or 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815, finding that she does not meet the eligibility requirements due to her father's service in Korea and lack of qualifying exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, arthritis of the hands, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and sleep apnea. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent prior to May 14, 2014 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected eczema, effective from November 9, 2015. The Veteran had more than 40 percent of his total body area affected by the rash at that time.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional evidentiary development, including a VA SMP aid and attendance/housebound examination. The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound will be assessed based on his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to inadequate previous VA examinations, as well as the need to determine if any of his claimed conditions are related to service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has denied all claims for service connection as there is no probative evidence of a current disability or link to active service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD with tiny hiatal hernia and service connection for a TMJ disorder. The rating assigned for the gastric disability is 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive tract disorder, including as secondary to her service-connected pelvic inflammatory disease and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an increased rating for his gastrointestinal disability and service connection claims. The Board found that the criteria for a higher 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346 have not been met or more nearly approximated for any portion of the rating period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, and a low back disorder were denied as there is no evidence of any such conditions during his period of active duty or since.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right wrist, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service.,Regarding GERD and hiatal hernia, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA medical records and a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, including gastritis, gastroesophogeal reflux disorder (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome.,The Board also denied service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's current lower back conditions are attributed to her service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's GERD symptoms began in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal primarily concerns ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, neck and low back disabilities, radiculopathies, acne scarring, circumcision residuals, and chicken pox. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings in some cases but not others.

The Veteran's service-connected digestive disability, including duodenitis and hiatal hernia with dental erosion, has been found to be productive of severe impairment of health warranting a 60% rating. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the combined effect of his service-connected digestive disability and Parkinson's disease.