GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis, antral gastritis, duodenitis, and irritable bowel syndrome, claimed as a stomach disorder. The claim for residuals of viral gastroenteritis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral elbow disorder, and recurrent urinary tract infection are not well-grounded. The claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no current diagnosis or link to service.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical information regarding his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and GERD with a hiatal hernia, esophagitis, and duodenitis. The decision found that there was no clear evidence of combat stressors related to in-service sexual assault and physical abuse, and thus the veteran could not establish his claim based on secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected disability for bilateral defective hearing or chronic tinnitus. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn) is well-grounded, and the skin disorder of the toenails is considered to be incurred in service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a chronic acquired abdominal disorder to include stomach ulcers and GERD, but finds that these claims are not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for upper respiratory disability and a cracked upper left crown were denied. However, service connection was granted for migraine headaches secondary to a wound of the left temple with a 50% evaluation effective from February 26, 1991, and for chronic photodermatitis with a 10% evaluation effective from September 6, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link between any such disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded, but have not been substantiated. The veteran does not currently have liver disease or a stomach disorder including hiatal hernia and GI condition. His other conditions do not appear to be related to his military service.

The Board determined that the veteran did not file a timely appeal for the 10 percent rating and effective date assigned in the March 1996 RO rating decision.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a vagotomy with pyloroplasty and gastroesophageal reflux, as well as his claim for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's neurological manifestations of neurofibromatosis are rated at 60 percent prior to March 6, 1997 and at 40 percent since then. The gastrointestinal manifestations are rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings are not well grounded, and the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a 50 percent disability evaluation for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection. The veteran's cesarean section scar was found to be a natural result of childbirth and not a medical complication of pregnancy. Her psychiatric residuals from miscarriage were not linked to active duty service. The latex allergy was rated based on its impact on her work as an operating room nurse, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media, pes planus, headaches and dizziness, hiatal hernia with GERD, and prostate disorder are well grounded. The claim of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for prostate disorder is also considered well grounded.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being permanently housebound due to lack of substantial confinement to her home or immediate premises by permanent disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis with gastroesophageal reflux disease do not warrant increased disability evaluations beyond their current ratings.