GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD, an increased rating for PTSD, and a TDIU prior to November 29, 2012 have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD and low back disability are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus has been manifested by subjective complaints of heartburn, reflux, nausea and vomiting. However, there is no objective evidence of dysphagia, substernal or arm/shoulder pain, significant anemia, malnutrition or other symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal/rectal bleeding, congestive heart failure, acid reflux disability, and tooth disability were not caused by VA treatment. The proximate cause was deemed to be the Veteran's own actions or an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they are either unrelated to his military service or were present many years after separation.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been granted and rated at 30 percent, effective August 16, 2011. The initial compensable rating of 10 percent for acid reflux is also granted.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under the criteria for hiatal hernias with symptoms of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal due to satisfaction with her current 100 percent combined disability rating.

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus warrants a 10 percent rating from the earlier effective date of February 7, 2012; a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for any period of time under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for eczema/herpetic lesions is granted. Service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including GERD, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed condition during the appeal period and it is not related to service. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 19, 2009 was granted. The RO has already granted the Veteran a 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability effective from April 16, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the need for a statement of the case on service connection claims for bladder cancer and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The Veteran's claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease remains under review.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims and granted them, with some issues receiving staged ratings. The effective date for the award of PTSD is set at April 9, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected GERD and his newly diagnosed esophageal cancer.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.