GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, migraines, and other conditions, have rendered him in need of aid and attendance. He is therefore granted special monthly compensation based on a demonstrated need for such assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related to his service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the appellant's current GERD is not causally related to his active service or any incident therein, and denied both claims of entitlement to service connection for GERD and a disability manifested by vertigo, headaches, and dizziness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, with the exception that he met the percentage requirements for a TDIU on March 12, 2009. The Board finds that his claim for an extra-schedular TDIU prior to March 12, 2009 is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, acid reflux, and headaches. The evidence submitted is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and GERD have been granted, with a 50% rating for PTSD effective March 17, 2010, and a 0% rating for GERD effective September 5, 2010. The GERD rating is the highest possible under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service experiences and his current GERD diagnosis, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and IBS. The Board found the VA examiner's opinion inadequate due to reliance on lack of in-service treatment records without considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms during service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a pulmonary disorder or GERD, and thus the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and duodenitis had their onset in active service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia, and GERD have been manifested by asymptomatic conditions such as esophageal stricture, spasms of the esophagus or an acquired diverticulum of the esophagus with symptoms including pyrosis and regurgitation. The Board finds that a rating higher than 20 percent is not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bladder disability other than stress incontinence, stress incontinence, sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, and gastrointestinal disorder (including GERD, hiatal hernia, and residuals of a hernia repair) are all found to be related to her service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately compensates for his disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, heart disorder, GERD, hypertension, and urinary frequency. The decision also addressed other issues such as non-service connected pension, increased rating for left shoulder tendonitis, and TDIU.

The Board found that there is no probative evidence establishing that the Veteran's esophagitis/GERD had its onset during active duty service or was related to such service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not service-connected, either as a direct result of his military service or as secondary to his PTSD. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was also denied on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the April 2009 statement of the case, and thus denied his claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acid reflux with achalasia is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's current stomach disability, diagnosed as GERD, is not related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.