GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for essential tremors, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia was granted. The Board also granted increased ratings for left knee subluxation, arthritis, a scar of the left knee, right knee instability, and right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appendectomy and oomphaticectomy residuals are not service-connected, as the current scars do not meet criteria for a compensable rating. The lung disorder to include bronchial asthma and COPD is not service-connected due to lack of evidence during service or within one year post-service. The back disorder is also not service-connected as arthritis was not manifest in service. The ventral hernia, GERD, and heart condition are not service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD were not found to warrant a compensable rating.,For the period prior to August 2, 2011, his GERD did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided some of the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and rating issues. The appeals seeking service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral ankle disabilities, as well as for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The claims to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity; a chronic bilateral leg disability; and arthritis of the bilateral hips have been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a compensable rating prior to January 19, 2012. The left eye disability claim is pending as the appeal involves reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD did not have its onset in service, is not otherwise related to service, and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome was granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered a new condition that has been reopened on the basis of new evidence. Service connection for his gastroesophageal disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome are secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, stomach disability (GERD), hemorrhoids, and left hip disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, residuals of a head injury (including hearing loss and/or tinnitus), chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep disorder, joint pain, and muscle pain are not service-connected.,While the Veteran reported symptoms related to these conditions during his military service, there is no evidence in the record that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by such service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including diverticulitis and GERD, did not manifest in service or are related to his service. The other issues were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and GERD are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected TB with pleural scarring and restrictive lung disease.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, hyposmia as a residual of oral surgery, and headache condition. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eczema of the bilateral lower extremities, and residuals of oral surgery. The Veteran's current diagnoses are found to be related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and possibly new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus was incurred during active service and the Board found it meets the criteria for service connection. The bilateral knee disability claim is pending as part of a separate remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II or PTSD, if found to be service-connected, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Veteran's GERD was diagnosed in May 2010 and the examiner found it likely related to service, while his headaches have not been diagnosed.