GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service-connected pension purposes is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of his current condition, requiring further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right hip and knee disability, psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD), sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, and hemorrhoids. The decision found that these conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency. The RO has not obtained all of the Veteran's private medical records from Dr. Clemis Jackson or his Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. These records are necessary to make a full determination on the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease and found that the reduction from 30 to 10 percent was proper. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a new hearing.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is inadequate to determine whether the appellant is permanently and totally disabled, necessitating further examination. The case is therefore being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and allergic rhinitis. The case is REMANDED to obtain relevant medical records, including those from private ENT specialists Dr. Fibber and Dr. Mojtahed, and to schedule VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder disability that was incurred or aggravated by service, and the cervical spine disability is not shown to be aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since discharge from service, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor is it otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with persistent constipation is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria, and therefore his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and review of the Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability, including liver complaints. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, GERD, sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claim for headaches was also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that her current chronic headaches (diagnosed as migraines) had their onset during active military service. The Veteran's currently-shown hiatal hernia with GERD and abnormal pap smear are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a stomach injury, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia was denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service department records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension and occlusal wear (secondary to GERD) are not service connected. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral eye disability, cataracts, and initial rating for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's GERD and related conditions are rated at 30 percent since May 20, 2009. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further examination is needed to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, assigning a 30 percent evaluation effective March 31, 2008. The effective date was set at November 29, 2004.