GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hearing loss, left wrist strain, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, diagnosed as GERD and esophagitis, are the result of his active service. His left knee disorder, kidney disorder, low back disorder, and hepatitis B have also been found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to July 5, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is due to military sexual trauma experienced during her service, and the Board finds that service connection for PTSD has been met.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for neoplasms of the colon, gastritis, gastroduodenitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease; entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine abuse in remission prior to May 5, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter; and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran credible in his report of a decline in hearing loss post-service, but an addendum opinion is needed to address this issue. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of noise exposure or current disability. Service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities (including GERD) and acquired psychiatric disorders are also denied due to lack of medical nexus opinions. An addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder disabilities is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed conditions and the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, GERD, heart disability, elbow disabilities, sinusitis, nasal allergies, hemorrhoids, and gum disease are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during military service and is related to his service-connected conditions. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer disease with GERD is rated as 20 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7305. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss, fatigue disorder, intestinal condition, hiatal hernia, or psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of GERD/acid reflux, low back strain, and insomnia have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The appeal for a lung condition remains pending.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,For headaches, the VA examiner stated there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, migraine headache disability, acid reflux, left elbow disability, low back disability, right hand disability, and right shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions and that they were not related to service.

The reduction of the Veteran's 30 percent rating for GERD from July 1, 2013 to a 10 percent rating was found improper and restored the original 30 percent rating.,Service connection for a dental condition secondary to service-connected GERD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), hiatal hernia (GERD), blood clots, night sweats, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are all service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The effective date of SMC based on aid and attendance is being determined as it may be factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's GI problems, including hemorrhoids, gastritis, GERD, hyperplastic polyps, recurrent epigastric pain with a history of H. pylori infection, and benign tubular adenoma of the colon, were not found to be related to service or radiation exposure.