GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux was denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of a right elbow fracture, including the propriety of reducing his disability rating from 20 percent to noncompensable effective August 7, 2008, was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disorder, finding that the appellant's current diagnoses are related to his in-service experiences.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined claims for service connection for GERD and IBS, which are related to the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War. The claim for service connection for GERD is being considered along with the newly raised claim for service connection for IBS.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right inguinal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraine headaches are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, fibromyalgia, dysthymic disorder (claimed as depression), hypertension, loss of sense of taste, and loss of sense of smell. The claim for TDIU benefits was also addressed but is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation have been REMANDED due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's esophageal disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) are found to be service-connected. However, the claim for periodontal disease is denied as it can only be considered for purposes of eligibility to dental treatment.

The Veteran's sexual dysfunction is found to be secondary to medications prescribed for PTSD.,Hypertension and GERD are not related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, and the Board found no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a new examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder did not cause or aggravate his erectile dysfunction, GERD, left knee disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, back disability, or skin disability. The claims were denied as there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD has been manifested by pyrosis (heartburn) and indigestion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not exhibit symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation, substernal arm or shoulder pain, or considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diverticulitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left knee disorder, and right foot disorder were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions or evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, rectal incontinence associated with scleroderma, calcinosis of the fingers associated with scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, limitation of motion of left ankle due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant extremity) due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, right knee synovitis, status post arthroscopy, flatfoot with left foot pain due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, flatfoot with right foot pain due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant extremity) due to scleroderma with Raynaud's phenomenon, are of such severity as to preclude her from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current ulcers and there is no persuasive evidence linking GERD to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for GERD and ulcers was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and his claims for accrued benefits were denied as he did not meet eligibility criteria. The appellant's claims for service connection for Alzheimer's dementia, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a pulmonary condition have also been denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection based on credible supporting evidence of a personal assault during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not render him unemployable as he is capable of performing sedentary occupations.