GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's IBS with associated GERD and skin disability of the head and face are both found to be related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected digestive disability, including GERD and dysphagia, is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds a separate rating of 10 percent for esophageal stricture under Diagnostic Code 7203.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective February 1, 2012. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, as well as, service connection for erectile dysfunction are remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent from March 22, 2010 to November 18, 2015 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records, including those from SSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, diagnosed as peptic ulcer disease, is caused by his use of NSAIDS to treat service-connected residuals of in-service ankle surgeries. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including peptic ulcer disease and GERD, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are not severe enough to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain an opinion on the etiology of his GERD and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoid disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD disability are currently rated as 30 percent disabling effective August 21, 2012. The Board has found that the criteria for an increased rating to a maximum of 60 percent have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain (back disability) is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, effective December 14, 2012. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating to a maximum of 60 percent have not been met at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's GERD was initially rated noncompensable prior to November 2, 2009. Since then, he has been assigned a 10 percent rating until June 20, 2013, and a 30 percent rating thereafter.,Since November 2, 2009, the Veteran's GERD resulted in persistent symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, and difficulty swallowing, which were productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for a more definitive opinion regarding whether the diabetes mellitus aggravated the GERD.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss, sinusitis, left knee disability, left elbow disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease to obtain additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations for certain conditions.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of GERD, hypertension, and basal cell carcinoma of the back are not related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10% prior to October 15, 2007 and at 30% from February 6, 2009. The appeal for a higher rating remains before the Board.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including arthritis, is found to be service-connected. The Veteran's GERD with duodenitis is granted an increased rating to 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities have been granted, with effective dates set at February 17, 2009.,Effective from February 17, 2009, the Veteran is now entitled to VA benefits for her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagitis, status post Nissen fundoplication with scars is rated at 30 percent. The issue of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders is REMANDED.