GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection is granted for the left knee disorder due to continuity of symptoms since service. However, service connection is not granted for GERD as the evidence does not support an in-service incurrence or a relationship between current GERD and service.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches and GERD have been granted initial ratings, with the tension headaches receiving a rating of 30 percent effective January 13, 2016. The lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and left knee patellofemoral syndrome remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for updated treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for coronary artery disease, as his VA Form 9 was not timely filed. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The claim for GERD was granted with a zero percent rating effective June 12, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected COPD and for GERD as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse, secondary to PTSD, has been reopened and granted.,Service connection was denied for a sleep disability and gastrointestinal disability, both of which are considered symptoms of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected colon cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent, effective November 1, 2011. The claim for service connection of DJD of the left hip is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including GERD and H. pylori infection, asthma, bilateral foot disability, left knee and right knee DJD, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, and liver disability other than cavernous liver hemangioma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding it at least as likely as not that the Veteran developed this condition due to his active service. The claims for anemia, prostate disability, and gastrointestinal disability (GERD) were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,A 30 percent evaluation, but no higher, for GERD beginning April 4, 2012, is granted. TDIU prior to January 2, 2013, is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as likely related to elevated blood pressure during active duty.,Since December 31, 2008, the Veteran has been granted initial compensable evaluations for anal fistula and GERD.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood. The tumor on the left side of the throat was incurred during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's digestive disorders were not incurred during and are not related to his active duty service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty service, and are not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and bruxism/ TMJ disorder manifested during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a psychiatric disability (depression), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied. The claim for service connection for loss of memory has also been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is pending as additional development is needed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for GERD.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's GERD is etiologically related to service, including as a result of in-service exposure to herbicide agents.