GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disorders was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that his early post-traumatic arthritis of the knees is causally related to an injury sustained in service.,PTSD has been granted with a 50 percent rating effective December 15, 1997. The veteran's fibromyalgia was initially rated at 10 percent from September 7, 1999 to August 21, 2000 and then increased to 20 percent starting from August 22, 2000.,The veteran's hiatal hernia with acid reflux disease has been rated at 10 percent since October 18, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that it developed in service and is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's movement disorder and gastrointestinal problems are related to his military service.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection and benefits related to his military service, including PTSD, gunshot wound residuals, hearing loss, vitamin B-12 deficiency, and GERD. The Board found no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to August 30, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have COPD or interstitial disease related to his period of service, and there is no evidence linking stomach disorders (including hiatal hernia, GERD, and diverticulosis) to his period of active duty. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including headaches, arthralgias, esophageal mass and gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, duodenal ulcer disease, psychological impotence, fatigue, sinus bradycardia, and skin disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for gall bladder removal with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The veteran did not file a timely appeal.

The veteran's claims for various conditions were denied by the RO. The Board found that none of these conditions are related to service, and some may be secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's liver injury with massive abdominal hemorrhage pre-existed service and is not considered to have been aggravated by service. The other conditions were either not shown during service or are not presumed to be related to service.

The veteran's skin disorder, memory loss, eye disorder, lung disorder, and stomach disorder have not been linked to his service. The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for an undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War service. His current conditions are considered direct service connection cases.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the March 1995 rating decision denying service connection for gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer disease was erroneous due to failure to consider a November 1994 VA examination report. The effective date of service connection is set at September 21, 1994.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux was withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's stomach and intestine disability is not deemed to be caused or aggravated by the April 1996 surgery, as his hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease were not related to the procedure.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that the veteran's symptoms are continuous moderate. Service connection was not established for a bilateral hand disorder or right thumb disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux with esophageal stricture had its onset during his military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The VA has granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), effective from March 1999. The veteran's GERD is manifested by chest discomfort, heartburn sensation, and reflux from the stomach to the throat.

The veteran's low back disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease were first shown during active military service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted increased disability evaluations for gastroesophageal reflux disease, left shoulder disability, and retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee. The veteran's retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee is not rated as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and postoperative residuals of a cholecystectomy. However, it found that these conditions do not warrant ratings higher than 10 percent.