GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and umbilical hernia were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the combined impact of all his gastrointestinal conditions on his ability to work and readjudication of both his increased rating claim and TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and low back disorder are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and remanded the right shoulder and lower back disabilities. The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 4, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a dental disability for compensation or outpatient treatment purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected chronic borrelia infection/Lyme disease and considering his TDIU claim. The Veteran is also requested to provide medical records from all providers who have treated him.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, sleep apnea/sleep disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for GI disorders and back disorders due to his failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 21, 2010. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating. Posttraumatic headaches are also service-connected and rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD are as least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia, status-post laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, has been rated at 10 percent since November 2007. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher 30 percent rating are met due to persistent recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is presumed to be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, lung cancer, and GERD. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether each current breathing/respiratory disability was incurred in or caused by active service, including the in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 1, 2005 forward. The Board granted TDIU effective November 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, effective dates, and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the substantive appeal was not timely filed in several cases.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, and the Board granted his claims for PTSD from July 13, 2009, TDIU prior to that date, and DEA benefits with an effective date prior to July 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, including Barrett's esophagus, GERD, hiatal hernia, and reflux esophagitis, was denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current disabilities and his military service.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new medical evidence. However, it remains denied as there is no established link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims, including a new VA lumbar spine examination.