GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected hiatal hernia with GERD. The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional treatment records and conduct a new examination before deciding on the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been denied as the current ratings are considered adequate to compensate for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal condition (including IBS, GERD and/or hiatal hernia), and tinnitus have been denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for GERD was received on December 8, 2000. The RO assigned an initial disability rating of 10 percent effective from December 8, 2000. The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating and/or earlier effective date.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the appellant's service-connected disabilities. The appeal for higher evaluations of bilateral hearing loss disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disabilities, including GERD, are not related to his service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GERD and residuals of gallbladder removal. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum allowed under the rating schedule. His GERD is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, back and neck bone spurs, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, a prostate disorder, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, or neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is found to be caused by his service-connected panic disorder, and the Board grants this claim. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorders other than IBS (diverticulosis and/or GERD) and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-operative small bowel obstruction with small bowel resection is service-connected, and his acid reflux is also service-connected.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses for services rendered at Northern Hospital of Surrey County on June 16, 2008 is denied as the evidence does not establish that the treatment was necessary due to an emergency condition.

The Veteran's claim for reopening the service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM) has been successful, and his claims for service connection for other conditions have been remanded.,An initial compensable evaluation for a stomach scar is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have GERD or endometriosis as a result of her military service.,VA treatment records do not show any evidence of a compromised immune system condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted. He is also awarded an initial compensable evaluation (10%) for hypertension, and a 20% evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to January 25, 2008. The Veteran's GERD is rated as 10%. These evaluations are effective from the date of service discharge.

The Board finds that the Veteran's asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for GERD and post-concussion syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on service-connected conditions, but noted that the Veteran's cognitive issues were not due to his service-connected brain trauma.

The Board is remanding the case to clarify the Veteran's representation and her desire for a hearing, as well as to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for GERD has been granted, but the RO/AMC is instructed to schedule an additional VA examination and obtain any outstanding treatment records in order to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.