GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence does not reflect overall improvement in the veteran's service-connected GERD, and thus restored a 30 percent rating for GERD from September 1, 2004.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to failure of the veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and for consideration under all applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is related to her service-connected bronchial asthma.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran's GERD was caused by VA medical treatment, including Motrin prescribed in February 1987 and June 1990. The case will be returned for further review after this examination.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected hypertensive blood pressure from August 28, 2002 to May 18, 2003. The claim for an increased initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The gastrointestinal reflux disease issue remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the left leg (claimed as secondary to intervertebral disc syndrome), a left ankle disability, and a right ankle disability. The gastrointestinal disability claim was also denied. Service connection is presumed for arthritis or degenerative joint disease within one year after separation from service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including medical examinations and a review of her claims by the Board.

The Board remands the case for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia/GERD and status post partial gastric resection for duodenal ulcer disease, effective from July 2001.

The veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for hiatal hernia and/or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with an examination.

The Board has determined that both claims need to be remanded due to procedural issues and the need for further development. The veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, is related to his dental disability. His claim for reopening of his dental disorder claim needs clarification.

The Board found that the veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and gout were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for secondary service connection based on these conditions are also denied.

The Board found that service connection was granted for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear injury, but denied claims for heart disorder, sinusitis, left knee disorder, hemorrhoids, and increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and musculoskeletal low back pain. The left foot disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is aggravated by his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and thus grants service connection for GERD on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further review by a VA physician to determine if the veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms in service were related to pancreatitis and whether there is any relationship between these symptoms and post-service disabilities including GERD, gallbladder problems, and hiatal hernia.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Bilateral hearing loss was not found to be related to active service, while GERD was not linked to the veteran's service-connected condition or due to his thoracic spine disability. Dermatophytosis and residuals of trauma to the thoracic spine at T-12 were rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The claim for a fracture of the left humerus did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.