GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The veteran died in September 2001 and was not service-connected for any disability at the time of his death. His body was not held by a State or subdivision of a State, nor did he die from a service-connected cause while properly hospitalized by VA. Therefore, burial benefits were denied.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for cardiovascular disabilities, gastrointestinal disability, dizziness with insomnia, a rating in excess of 30 percent for depression, and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability are ready to be considered on the merits. The veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an irregular heartbeat. The VA found that there is no link between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, fibromyalgia at 20 percent, and hiatal hernia with acid reflux disease at 10 percent. The effective date for these ratings remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and for reopening his claim of service connection for a right knee injury, finding that there was no probative medical evidence showing any connection between these conditions and active military service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bronchitis were all granted service connection. The PTSD was rated at 30 percent, the gastroesophageal reflux disease did not meet criteria for a higher rating, and the bronchitis was also rated at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral otitis media, perforated tympanic membranes, and related disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection are now remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to uncertainty regarding his in-country service in the Republic of Vietnam and additional medical records may be needed.

The veteran is seeking service connection for stomach disease, which he claims is related to medications taken for his service-connected right ankle disability. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's stomach issues.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease and bilateral knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for limpomata, bilateral plantar calluses, and right ear hearing loss are dismissed due to failure to file timely substantive appeals.,The veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of zero percent disabling prior to August 2002 for limboma is dismissed due to failure to file a timely substantive appeal.,The veteran's claim of entitlement to increased evaluations for bilateral plantar calluses and right ear hearing loss are dismissed due to failure to file timely substantive appeals.,The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to active service or any other basis.,The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are dismissed due to failure to file timely substantive appeals.,The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hiatal hernia and/or GERD is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to active service or any other basis.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for GERD is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a subtotal gastrectomy for peptic ulcer and generalized anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and disability ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), and sinusitis due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and psychiatric disorder did not begin in service or due to any incident of service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for TMJ syndrome and GERD, but not for the veteran's hiatal hernia. The decision on the hiatal hernia issue is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and asthma are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.