GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for asthma, lumbar spine disability, GERD with ulcer, deviated septum, and sinus disability. The evidence presented is sufficient to reopen these claims, but does not establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and back disability due to inadequate examinations, requiring new evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to deficiencies in previous opinions and need for clarification on service connection determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and his symptoms are better explained by other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia. Therefore, service connection for CFS is denied.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia with GERD has been shown to be remediable and without true hernia protrusion, despite not having been operated on. However, it has also been shown to be productive of persistent recurrent epigastric distress with substernal shoulder pain of a mild severity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and GERD with esophagitis and flexible hiatal hernia, finding that the current conditions are related to service. The Veteran's complaints of knee pain during service were diagnosed as chondromalacia patella, which is now diagnosed as osteoarthritis. For the gastrointestinal disorder, the Board found that the Veteran had abdominal symptoms during service, including muscle spasms and discomfort, which resolved prior to separation but are currently diagnosed as GERD with esophagitis and flexible hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 2012, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For GERD, the Veteran was only service-connected with a 10% disability rating. The Board noted that there were overlapping symptoms with nonservice-connected conditions such as duodenal ulcers, diverticulosis, and chronic gastritis.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 10% rating after July 10, 2013. Prior to that date, the condition was not considered compensable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent based on symptoms of pyrosis and regurgitation.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder, headaches, and GERD as these conditions are at least in equipoise with the evidence supporting their onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux was granted, and he received an initial noncompensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is also granted as the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Daytona Beach VAMC.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD with history of hiatal hernia has been rated at 30 percent since April 10, 2009 and increased to 50 percent effective July 31, 2014. The higher rating is warranted due to the severity of his symptoms including difficulty sleeping.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent since December 11, 2014. The Board finds that an extraschedular rating is warranted for his left ilioinguinal nerve neuralgia due to the impact of a spinal cord stimulator implant.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his GERD is being remanded due to the need for updated medical examination and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and his symptoms are better explained by other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia. Therefore, service connection for CFS is denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and Gulf War exposure-related conditions. The Board has remanded the case to schedule a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for genital herpes is pending. The claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that any symptoms he experienced were not related to his military service.