GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS has been granted a rating of 70 percent. The other claims have not met the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for GERD. The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by reflux and requires continuous medication, but the preponderance of evidence is against an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for right shoulder tendonitis, left shoulder tendonitis, and a muscle sprain of the back have been withdrawn. The Board has denied service connection for gastrointestinal disability to include GERD, Barrett's esophagus, IBS, hiatal hernia, and gastritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, GERD, a bladder condition, hemorrhoids, and a skin condition. The cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except GERD and bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as his audiometric results do not meet VA criteria for such a disability. For GERD, the Veteran was provided with an opportunity for a VA examination but no opinion could be rendered without resorting to speculation.

The Veteran's sinus disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, and ganglion cyst residuals are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran's residual scar status post excision of a pilonidal cyst is not compensably disabling.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and GERD. The Veteran's diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are either unrelated to his in-service exposure or due to other causes.,Specifically, the examiner found that the Veteran's mild aortic atherosclerosis with history of myocardial infarction is less likely than not related to any in-service herbicide exposure and was not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The acquired psychiatric disability developed approximately 30 years prior to his diabetes diagnosis and is less likely than not worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His GERD is also less likely than not the result of herbicide exposure during active service or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now entitled to a temporary total disability rating for convalescent purposes following surgery for fungus infection of the feet from March 1, 2010 to April 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's right wrist, ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his GERD. The issues of service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities have also been remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inclusion of VA treatment records dated between February and August 2017 in the claims file. The case will be readjudicated, with all relevant evidence considered.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection, including ischemic heart disease, hypertension, shoulder disability, prostate disability, residuals of right lower inguinal injury, eczema, bilateral foot fungus, ulcers, GERD, Parkinson's disease, and COPD.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the highest possible evaluation for his cervical spine disability. The GERD claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hematuria, fibromyalgia, ulcer, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, nerve damage to the left hand, arms, and feet, and right hand disability have been denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors and no link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cardiovascular disorder and hypertension, secondary to hepatitis C, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's stomach disorder, diagnosed as GERD, pre-existed service and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression by an in-service event. Therefore, service connection for a stomach disorder is denied.

The Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to December 15, 2016 and 50 percent thereafter. The current rating is not higher.,The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 15, 2016 and 40 percent thereafter. The current rating is not higher.,The Veteran's right ulnar nerve condition was rated at 10 percent. A higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's GERD was rated as noncompensable prior to December 15, 2016 and as 10 percent thereafter. The current rating is not higher.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his hypertension, sleep apnea, and GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an undiagnosed gastrointestinal illness, both due to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia. The rating assigned is 10%.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and status post sigmoid resection are rated at 40 percent effective from November 23, 2008.