GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's current gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not incurred in service and is not otherwise related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastrointestinal signs or symptoms other than bowel dysfunction (GERD) and abnormal weight changes, finding that there was no evidence to support a current disability. The claim for fatigue is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, have rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic sinusitis and asthma, also claimed as respiratory problems (fatigue), was granted. Service connection for urticaria due to undiagnosed illness is also established.,Effective November 1, 2011, the combined disability rating for chronic sinusitis and asthma was severed.

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus type II, CAD, and soft tissue sarcomas of the lung and right upper extremity/right shoulder are presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran also has chronic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy that are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's GERD, headaches, psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, brittle nails, and syphilis are not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a rating of 40 percent prior to July 12, 2016 and 60 percent since then.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 7346 for a hiatal hernia. The symptoms include persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain, which constitutes considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for depressive disorder with alcohol disorder is granted, and the issues of service connection for macular degeneration (on a new and material basis), hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, skin disorder, onychomycosis, residuals of right index finger disability, and GERD are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral eye disability and GERD were not incurred during or as a result of his military service, including any exposure to asbestos. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, including GERD, acid reflux, and hiatal hernia, potentially related to PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for pes planus and Barrett's esophagus with GERD, denied service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, erectile dysfunction, a dental condition for treatment purposes, and a dental condition for compensation.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, eczema, fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, back disability, and knee disability. The Veteran's claim for diabetes was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the December 2013 denial.

The Veteran's chronic stomach problem (GERD) is service-connected. The Board has granted the reopening of his claim for this condition, but denied claims for residuals of an upper back injury and shortened left leg due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or aggravation by service. Service connection was not established for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for his obstructive sleep apnea and an addendum opinion regarding the potential aggravation of his acid reflux by medications for his service-connected back disability. The claims will be readjudicated after all development.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD, TDIU prior to April 21, 2009, and service connection for residuals of poisoned water exposure at Camp Lejeune are all denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date is April 21, 2009, due to the reopening of his claim for PTSD.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and esophageal disabilities are likely related to his active service, specifically during periods of Reserve duty. However, no specific diagnosis was provided for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including acid reflux disease and GERD. The Veteran is also granted an initial 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's GERD is rated under Diagnostic Code 7399-7346, as analogous to hiatal hernia. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's GERD was manifested by most of the symptoms required for a 30 percent rating. However, the level of health impairment caused by the Veteran's GERD is not specified in the report. A remand is necessary to schedule an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and personnel records. The issues include service connection for various conditions as well as the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran is not unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities, as the evidence shows he is able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and educational background.