GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The claims for GERD and hiatal hernia are pending as they may be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, specifically GERD, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C and did not develop in service.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to a qualifying chronic disability. Other gastrointestinal issues will be addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's IBS and GERD have been rated at 30 percent since June 5, 2015. His associated fecal incontinence has also been rated at 30 percent. The TDIU issue remains pending as the appeal is not about service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary stress incontinence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it only requires wearing absorbent materials that must be changed less than two times per day. The other service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergic rhinitis, obstructive sleep apnea, sinus tachycardia, and pes planus. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of a heart disability and concluded that the Veteran's sinus tachycardia is not a disability.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and depression have been rated at 30 percent each, effective August 31, 2010.,The Veteran has gastroesophageal reflux disease that is aggravated by his service-connected arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Veteran's current GERD is found to have had its onset during his active service and has continued through the present, with the Board resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection for GERD is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on direct and secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for stomach ulcers, hypertension, a skin disability, GERD, and painful joints. The evidence did not show current diagnoses or a combination of manifestations sufficient to identify these conditions in service or within one year after separation. The examiner opined that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his time on active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating for his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, hiatal hernia and gastroenteritis. The Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and hypertension are being remanded for further examination and medical opinions to determine their etiology, as well as the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of his GERD evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent is granted, and he is entitled to a restoration of the 30 percent rating. The issue of the appropriate effective date for this reduction is dismissed as moot due to the grant of the reduction. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to assess the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected stomach disability, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for his stomach disability.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent since February 23, 2012. The Board finds that the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for GERD, hypertension, and arrhythmia are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and denied service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, and gastric ulcer.