GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The veteran's claimed conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the knees and right shoulder, gastroesophageal reflux, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, were not shown to be related to active or reserve service. The Board denied these claims.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's duodenal ulcer disease with hiatal hernia and GERD, effective December 13, 2002. The claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including residuals of duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, diverticulosis and diverticulitis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board determined that the veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder and gastritis did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms were consistent with a considerable impairment of health.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and varicocele were granted. Service connection was not granted for tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain, lumbosacral strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease do not warrant a higher rating as their manifestations are currently no more than moderate or slight.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastrointestinal reflux disease, bilateral athlete's foot, and tinnitus have been denied. The RO has not assigned a compensable evaluation for the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease since March 6, 2000 to June 12, 2001, or from June 13, 2001 onwards. A separate rating for tinnitus affecting both ears is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, finding that the appellant's period of active duty was discharged under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct. The Board also found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and initial compensable evaluations for patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees. The veteran was not granted any new ratings as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's increased ratings for anxiety reaction and gastroesophageal reflux disorder were denied, but he was granted a 30 percent rating for GERD.

The veteran's combined disability rating of 40 percent does not meet the requirement for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including viral gastroenteritis, gastric motility disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease as a residual of adenovirus immunization, and residuals of adenovirus immunization. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding no evidence of such condition during or after service and concluding that any current symptoms are not related to military service.

The VA determined that there is no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's upper gastrointestinal tract disorder and her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed diaphragmatic hernia, with GERD, was incurred in service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for variously diagnosed stomach disorders, including hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn, as these conditions are not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected gingival laceration.

The veteran's initial ratings for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and postoperative residuals of right-knee plica debridement were denied by the RO, with higher initial ratings assigned following additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence is evenly balanced as to whether the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with peptic esophagitis was incurred in service, including exposure to environmental hazards. The VA specialist concluded it is at least as likely as not related to service and granted the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia, diaphragmatic hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and gastritis as these conditions were not shown to be related to his active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disorders have been denied as they are not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.