GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance of another person is established, based on her inability to keep herself clean and presentable. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder is not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence linking his current hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease to his in-service gastrointestinal complaints or to any continuity of symptomatology after discharge.

The veteran's disabilities, including a personality disorder and hypertension, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a permanent and total disability rating for non-service-connected pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with duodenal ulcer is not related to his service-connected chronic bronchitis, and thus cannot be granted as secondary service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for duodenal ulcer disease with hiatus hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), status post-fundoplication, antrectomy and vagotomy is being remanded due to insufficient information in the current medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease as secondary to his asthma medication was not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence supporting a relationship between the two conditions. The claims for increased rating and restoration of a 30 percent rating for asthma are pending.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death on both a direct and secondary basis, finding no evidence to support either claim.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of GERD and duodenal ulcer disease was denied. The issue regarding the reopening of a neck injury with headaches claim is also denied, as new evidence does not establish that his current condition is related to service. Service connection for PTSD has been granted but an earlier effective date remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.

The Veteran's GERD with a hiatal hernia has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal began. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, as they were infrequent and did not result in considerable impairment of health.