GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, GERD, and a right knee disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current diagnoses or chronic conditions related to these issues.,There are no medical records indicating the presence of any of these conditions during service, and post-service records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish their onset in service.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are associated with voiding dysfunction requiring changing of absorbent pads five times daily, warranting a rating higher than 40 percent.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for renal cell carcinoma. The evidence suggests that it may be related to hepatitis B.

The Veteran's GERD causes reflux, sleep disturbance and occasional regurgitation but makes only a small contribution to the symptoms of chronic abdominal pain, chronic nausea and vomiting and significant weight loss. The Board finds that his GERD has not been 'productive of considerable impairment of health' as required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and GERD were not incurred in or caused by his time in service. The Veteran's mental health conditions are presumed to be related to substance abuse, while his GERD is not shown to have been aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and hypertension are secondary to medications used to treat his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge from service for the period prior to February 2, 1991 was not a bar to VA benefits. However, his subsequent service during and after this period is considered dishonorable, thus barring him from receiving VA compensation benefits for any diseases or injuries incurred or aggravated during these periods.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD with depression and anxiety, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for left wrist disability is pending as it requires further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service, despite its absence during service.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent rating since January 16, 2001. Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder has been granted. The Veteran does not have service connection for sleep apnea or a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected colonic diverticulitis with GERD warrants a 60 percent rating prior to May 24, 2016 and is granted. The appeal for an increased rating after that date remains pending.

The Veteran's GERD with chronic duodenitis was granted a rating of 30 percent effective August 11, 2015. The appeal is remanded for scheduling a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his PTSD and GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's liver function test abnormalities are not service-connected. The initial rating for GERD is granted at 10%. For the lumbar strain with history of arthritis, a 20% rating is granted prior to May 12, 2014 and denied thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since July 20, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, joint pain (including gout and osteoarthritis), fatigue, intestinal symptoms, abnormal weight loss, and acid reflux are not related to service or exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease as due to medications used to treat RA, and a disability manifested by memory loss as due to RA. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a disability manifested by memory loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and GERD have been granted service connection.,Both conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.