GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 6, 2009, for a 60 percent rating for duodenal ulcer with dumping syndrome, bile gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux.

The Veteran's right hand/wrist disability is not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder (COPD/Emphysema), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or due to service. OSA is also not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is service-connected as it first manifested after the Veteran's second period of service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected IBS and GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's GERD has worsened to the point where it now meets the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating, reflecting considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are not of probative value and additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to her active duty service.

Service connection for GERD has been granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including thyroid disability, throat disability, hair loss, muscle weakness, defective vision (related to TBI), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Bell's palsy, gall bladder dysfunction, recurrent allergies, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision found that the Veteran did not have a chronic disability manifested by these conditions during service or within one year of separation, and thus could not establish direct service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective August 10, 2017. The left ankle sprain and GERD were each granted increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, headaches, and sleep apnea. The claim for PTSD was reopened but not granted due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are rated at 30 percent, while his bilateral pterygia with dry eye syndrome is rated at 20 percent effective March 3, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence supports these ratings based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's initial ratings for various service-connected conditions, including GERD with hiatal hernia and primary insomnia, have been denied as the symptoms do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his GERD symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, to include gastroenteritis and acid reflux disease, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his service.

The Veteran's initial rating for a ventral hernia is granted at 20 percent, and his increased rating for IBS with GERD and hiatal hernia is granted at 60 percent effective September 21, 2015.,Prior to September 21, 2015, the Veteran's IBS with GERD and hiatal hernia was rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that it was not causally related to PTSD and not aggravated by PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms were noted to have begun in 1974 during service, but there is no evidence of GERD at the time.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including frontal sinus osteoma, head trauma, headaches, chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, GERD, and others. The claim of tinea pedis was also withdrawn.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current gastrointestinal conditions are related to his service at Camp Lejeune. The appeal is currently pending and will be re-adjudicated after the examination results.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current stomach disorder or GERD that is related to his active service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a chronic condition during service and concluded that any current symptoms are less likely due to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's gallbladder condition, pancreatitis, back disability, and GERD were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity in service for these conditions.