GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma and increased ratings for fibromyalgia, GERD with duodenitis and IBS, and chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood were denied. The Board found that the evidence was against a finding of direct service connection for glaucoma and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia or an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD with duodenitis and IBS.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the purpose of obtaining additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The claims will be readjudicated based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and GERD have been rated at the lowest available levels (10%) throughout the appeal period.,Both conditions are not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder, GERD, IBS, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient cooperation during VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee strain, shoulder strain, shin splints and a skin rash (tinea). The Veteran's hearing loss disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling from October 25, 2012. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a bleeding ulcer and GERD, but has not decided on their merits. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for increased ratings for various conditions and disabilities. The Board is dismissing the appeals as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagitis, status post Nissen fundoplication with scars is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination by a gastroenterologist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied. The decision on the GERD with hiatal hernia and bilateral foot disability claims is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric condition and spinal disorders, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 10, 2008. The effective date for the grant of TDIU is set at this time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ, prostate disability (erectile dysfunction), hypertension, GERD, hematuria, and sinus disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be aggravated by the use of NSAID medications for his service-connected disabilities. The Board grants secondary service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD was characterized by recurrent epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, reflux, and regurgitation. The RO denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to August 7, 2013, and for the period beginning October 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) on his hypertension claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and authorization for private treatment records. The issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, right knee disability, and degenerative disc disease will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board granted service connection for low back arthritis due to in-service herbicide exposure. However, the gastrointestinal disorders were not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo is not related to her service-connected disabilities and has granted a TDIU based on her multiple service-connected conditions preventing her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claims of service connection for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a respiratory disorder. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.