GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD.

The Veteran's pyloroduodenal irritability with GERD was previously rated at 30 percent prior to July 1, 2014 and is now rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2014. The rating remains unchanged.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea is related to in-service symptoms and treatment, including snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnolence), which were treated with medication. As such, service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive condition (including hernia and GERD), and diabetes mellitus were not found to be related to service.,There is no evidence of any diagnosed conditions in the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's GERD is productive of considerable impairment of health, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, as well as service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to a low back condition. The remaining issues regarding respiratory disability, prostate disability, and testicular disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for GERD. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for GERD and gunshot wound residuals to the abdomen with scarring was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities, including his vision disorders and other health conditions, have resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance from another person since September 8, 2016. His income does not exceed the maximum annual pension rate for nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the aforementioned issues, and they are hereby dismissed.

The Veteran's GERD and peptic ulcer disease are rated at a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 7346, which is the most fitting diagnostic code for his condition. The Board finds that these conditions do not warrant an increased rating as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for a recurrent gastrointestinal disorder, to include IBS. The Veteran's IBS is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of a sleep disorder and an increased rating for GERD with esophagitis. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD has not been manifested by vomiting, weight loss or severe impairment of health. As such, the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lower back disability, skin cancer residuals, or gastrointestinal disorder/Barrett's esophagus that is related to his period of service.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be established as there is no evidence of disease or injury during service and no medical opinion linking any current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and reopened the claim for a skin disorder. The Veteran's right wrist, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and/or hiatal hernia), and psychological disorder other than PTSD have been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10% throughout the appeal period. The Board has now granted a 30% rating, finding that her symptoms of recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm pain, cause considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.