GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD with gastritis is productive of vomiting twice a week, with a burning sensation in the stomach and chest, but not severe enough to warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an ulcer and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and asthmatic bronchitis are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The case will be returned to the Board for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for inter-ocular migraines and entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease have been dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for GERD was denied as there is no current evidence of a gastrointestinal disorder related to service. The claims for increased ratings and left knee disability secondary to right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. As such, service connection for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease has been rated at 30% since March 14, 2004. The condition is characterized by symptoms of epigastric distress with regurgitation and substernal pain, resulting in considerable impairment of health.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for muscle tension headaches, migraines, benign fasciculations (manifested by muscle spasms and loss of muscle control), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to an undiagnosed illness. However, additional development is needed as these issues are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation than 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed thyroid disorder, pulmonary disorder, vascular circulatory disorder, left eye growth, cancer spots on the face, and hydrocele. The issues were all decided as secondary to ionizing radiation exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and GERD were not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 7346, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service. The gastrointestinal disorder and genitourinary disorder are not found to be related to service, including due to exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of mechanical low back syndrome is related to his period of active service. The left elbow disorder claim remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's left knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The combined disability of the right and left shoulders warrants a 10 percent rating as separate disabilities are not more than zero percent.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) does not warrant an initial compensable rating. Hypertension also does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's stomach disorder or GERD was not incurred in service and is not related to his diabetes mellitus. The sebaceous cysts of the ears have no current disability rating as they are asymptomatic.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the Board found that his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, postoperative scars on the back, facial scars, and GERD with hiatal hernia have all been rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board finds that none of these conditions warrant a higher rating.