GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claim for GERD is granted as the condition was incurred in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of vision and sleep disorder. The issues related to TBI or residuals thereof, bilateral inguinal hernias, headaches, sinus disorder with shortness of breath (sinus disorder), eating disorder, balance disorder, CFS, seizure disorder, PUD, esophageal disorder other than GERD, diabetes, bladder disorder, and muscle disorder have also been denied. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthralgia of the lumbosacral spine, depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/gastritis, combine to be 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that these conditions prevent the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral ear disability (Eustachian tube dysfunction), depressive disorder, bilateral ingrown toenail, Morton's metatarsalgia, interdigital neuroma within second and third toes of the left foot, migraine headaches, jaw residuals involving the 5th cranial nerve on both sides, GERD, chronic lumbar sprain, residuals of a left ring finger fracture, and left thigh scar.,The Veteran's current symptoms are consistent with his in-service complaints and diagnoses.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities for pension purposes prior to October 25, 2017 included PTSD with major depression, knee arthralgia, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, hypertension, inguinal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran was not found to meet the schedular criteria for a permanent and total disability rating prior to October 25, 2017. As such, he is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder, coronary artery disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of his military service and obtaining medical records. He also needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection for essential tremors, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia was granted. The Board also granted increased ratings for left knee subluxation, arthritis, a scar of the left knee, right knee instability, and right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appendectomy and oomphaticectomy residuals are not service-connected, as the current scars do not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The lung disorder to include bronchial asthma and COPD is not service-connected due to lack of evidence during service or within one year post-service. The back disorder is also not service-connected as arthritis was not manifest in service. The ventral hernia, GERD, and heart condition are not service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD were not found to warrant a compensable rating.,For the period prior to August 2, 2011, his GERD did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided some of the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and rating issues. The appeals seeking service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral ankle disabilities, as well as for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The claims to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity; a chronic bilateral leg disability; and arthritis of the bilateral hips have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a compensable rating prior to January 19, 2012. The left eye disability claim is pending as the appeal involves reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD did not have its onset in service, is not otherwise related to service, and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome was granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered a new condition that has been reopened on the basis of new evidence. Service connection for his gastroesophageal disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome are secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, stomach disability (GERD), hemorrhoids, and left hip disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, residuals of a head injury (including hearing loss and/or tinnitus), chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep disorder, joint pain, and muscle pain are not service-connected.,While the Veteran reported symptoms related to these conditions during his military service, there is no evidence in the record that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by such service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.