GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The intertwined claim of secondary service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine with radiation to the lower extremities must be addressed first.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the veteran's stomach disorders, including ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and/or GERD. The examiner should provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to her service-connected depression and/or back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities. The service connection claims for pulmonary fibrosis and tuberculosis were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, as it began during his military service. The gastrointestinal issues are also found to be related to service due to medication use for other service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service medical records were negative for complaints, findings, or diagnosis of GERD. There is no competent medical evidence relating his current GERD to any disease or injury during active military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim can be decided, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the veteran's hiatal hernia, GERD, and Barrett's esophagus, as well as his residuals of pneumonia. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the severity of his various disabilities and whether he meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service-connected pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired gastrointestinal disorder, now diagnosed as GERD, is reasonably attributable to service.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal due to the Board's decision, and no issues remain for review.

The veteran is seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder of the arms, and GERD, all claimed as secondary to in-service herbicide exposure. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a head injury, including cognitive disorders and memory dysfunction, are service-connected. The mental disorder to include PTSD is not service-connected. Asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux disease, hypertension, and fibromyalgia are also not service-connected as secondary to any service-connected condition.

The veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including constipation and GERD, as well as hemorrhoids and polyps, were not incurred during active service or due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board denied these claims.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and asthmatic bronchitis, finding that these conditions are not related to the veteran's period of active duty or his service-connected psychogenic gastrointestinal disturbance.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the appropriate disability evaluations for his service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia and residuals of fractures to his right fingers.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bipolar disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disorder. The Board has determined that further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions, is needed before the claims can be decided.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent rating effective from March 1, 2002. The RO also denied service connection for high cholesterol, depression, stomach disorder (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), headaches, sinus disorder (other than deviated nasal septum), residuals of cold injury, and heart disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting his allegations or diagnoses.

The veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, hypertension, COPD, gastroesophageal reflux, sarcoidosis cyst of the left adrenal gland, splenic cystic lesion, kidney cystic lesion, organomegaly, spinal cord tumor, spinal injury, foot drop, claw foot, hammertoes, gunshot wound residuals, and nephritis. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a testicular disorder and increased ratings for right knee, costochondritis, GERD, and IBS. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current stomach disorders, including GERD, IBS with constipation, and diverticulosis, are related to his period of active duty service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.