GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain medical records. The issues include service connection for neck, shoulder, face, and jaw pain and numbness; gastroesophageal reflux disease and a stomach disorder as secondary to dysthymic disorder; and an increased rating for dysthymic disorder.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 100% evaluation effective from April 2000. The veteran withdrew his appeals concerning the other issues on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected irritable colon syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease and hemorrhoids, finding that the current ratings were appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the veteran's current condition was not present in service and is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a lower digestive disability, claimed as small bowel obstruction secondary to abdominal adhesions from hernia/abdominal surgeries. He also seeks an increased evaluation for his gastroesophageal reflux with dyspepsia. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused by his service-connected PTSD and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, the irritable bowel syndrome was not found to be related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 25, 2000 for a 100 percent rating for Crohn's disease with an inflammatory bowel, Barrett's esophagus and a gastroesophageal reflux disorder. The effective date was set at January 25, 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not related to his military service, including exposure to radiation. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his disabilities, as they do not render him helpless or require assistance with daily activities.

The veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 21, 2001 for service connection and a higher evaluation for his hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for reopening his claim for service connection of diverticulosis.

The Board found that GERD was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease due to insufficient evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for residuals of cold injury to the feet, hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to December 4, 2002.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected IBS and GERD, maintaining that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease were first incurred in service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to unclear findings regarding his ability to care for himself and protect himself from daily hazards.

The veteran's claim for nonservice connected pension based on permanent disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, particularly regarding possible psychiatric and cardiovascular disabilities.