GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD causes considerable impairment of health, with symptoms including substernal pain and regurgitation. A 30 percent rating is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed gastroesophageal (GI) disability, including GERD. The examiner must determine if the current GI disability is related to service or caused by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for residuals of hysterectomy and hiatal hernia, and therefore, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected myofascial pain syndrome. The case has been remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the use of Ibuprofen and the development of GERD.

The Veteran's current GERD is service-connected, but his peptic ulcer (gastric or duodenal) was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran does not have a digestive system disability, to include GERD, diverticulitis, or hiatal hernia, that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD and IBS are not shown to be directly related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's stomach disorder (GERD) is not considered to be related to her military service, including acute and transitory gastroenteritis episodes while in service. The Board has also determined that the stomach disorder is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability - specifically, her PID.

The Veteran's ventral hernia disability is rated at 40 percent effective August 15, 2007. The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent effective August 15, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder and bilateral hip pain due to an undiagnosed illness were granted. The claim for COPD with bronchitis resulted in a non-compensable evaluation, but the effective date was prior to July 31, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and IBS are not related to his service or service-connected PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep disorder is a symptom of his service-connected PTSD and not a separate disability warranting service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acid reflux disability and disc herniation at the L5 to S-1 vertebrae with canal stenosis, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology after service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's GERD prior to April 1, 2011 was not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease was granted an initial rating of 10 percent prior to August 8, 2005 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent effective October 28, 2011.,The Veteran's GERD was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating. Residuals, fracture, left distal fibula and medial malleolus were granted a 30 percent disability rating from October 28, 2011. The right ankle disability claim is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed right ankle disability was not established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a kidney disorder, and GERD. The conditions were not found to be directly related to service or secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an upper respiratory disorder, as well as his initial rating for GERD and increased rating for low back disability. The claim for TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the hearing officer who conducted his July 2006 hearing no longer working at the Board. He has been offered a new opportunity for a videoconference hearing and has chosen this option.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of needing aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits based on his nonservice-connected disabilities.