GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating for his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, hiatal hernia and gastroenteritis. The Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and hypertension are being remanded for further examination and medical opinions to determine their etiology, as well as the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of his GERD evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent is granted, and he is entitled to a restoration of the 30 percent rating. The issue of the appropriate effective date for this reduction is dismissed as moot due to the grant of the reduction. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to assess the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected stomach disability, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for his stomach disability.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent since February 23, 2012. The Board finds that the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for GERD, hypertension, and arrhythmia are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and denied service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, and gastric ulcer.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hearing loss, left wrist strain, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, diagnosed as GERD and esophagitis, are the result of his active service. His left knee disorder, kidney disorder, low back disorder, and hepatitis B have also been found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to July 5, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is due to military sexual trauma experienced during her service, and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD has been met.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for neoplasms of the colon, gastritis, gastroduodenitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease; entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine abuse in remission prior to May 5, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter; and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran credible in his report of a decline in hearing loss post-service, but an addendum opinion is needed to address this issue. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of noise exposure or current disability. Service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities (including GERD) and acquired psychiatric disorders are also denied due to lack of medical nexus opinions. An addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder disabilities is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed conditions and the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, GERD, heart disability, elbow disabilities, sinusitis, nasal allergies, hemorrhoids, and gum disease are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during military service and is related to his service-connected conditions. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease with GERD is rated as 20 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7305. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition.