GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's CAD, hypertension, and GERD are not related to service or exposure to lead or asbestos during service.,There is no evidence of a heart condition in the year following separation from service, nor within one year after separation. The VA opinion indicates no correlation between the Veteran's conditions and his exposure to lead or asbestos.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are service-connected as they were present during his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD with Barrett's esophagus and determined that it is secondary to his service-connected back disorders. The Veteran's use of NSAIDs, prescribed for his back conditions, aggravated his pre-existing GERD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of lipoma excision was denied due to lack of material evidence. The Board found no current disability related to the claimed condition.,Service connection for stroke residuals, eating disorder, urinary disorder (frequent urination), sleep disorder, erectile dysfunction, and neck scars were all denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's GERD and hypertension were also denied as there was no indication that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of records, particularly regarding his prostate condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating for GERD and service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's GERD was not shown to result in persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation accompanied by substernal arm or shoulder pain. From December 29, 2016, his GERD manifested with pyrosis and regurgitation but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's asthma has been shown to cause intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, which meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be service-connected, and she is granted an initial compensable rating for her allergic rhinitis and sinusitis with deviated septum.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his chronic gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding private medical records.

The Veteran's stomach disability, including gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is found to be incurred in active duty service. The Board finds that the Veteran has overlapping gastric symptoms between GERD and gastritis, but resolves reasonable doubt in his favor and grants service connection for a stomach disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are now being considered on their merits.,Service connection has been granted for left knee disability, right knee disability, chronic vaginitis, chronic UTI, GERD, IBS, hemorrhoids, thyroid condition, and sciatica.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD or hiatal hernia, and finds that his symptoms are more likely related to NSAID medications for his service-connected left fifth finger DJD rather than being incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as chronic mechanical low back syndrome. The Veteran's current condition is found to be related to her in-service fall and injury.,Service connection was denied for the claimed TMJ disability due to lack of evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7346, applicable to hiatal hernia. The Board finds that no diagnostic code other than 7346 better contemplates the symptomatology associated with the Veteran's GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cervical spondylosis disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. After affording the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings due to lack of evidence supporting earlier effective dates or entitlement to the benefits sought.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for VA examinations and additional development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted as his symptoms of memory loss, headaches, fatigue, involuntary movements, urinary issues, and gastrointestinal problems are considered manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness related to his Gulf War service.