GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed digestive and back disabilities are not related to his service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastroenteritis were denied, while her claim for service connection for anemia was granted. The initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for ulcers and acid reflux, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service combat experience.,Service connection is also granted for a dental disorder (for outpatient treatment purposes), as it is considered part of the same claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations and his withdrawal of his appeal. The case is now returned to the RO with instructions to verify whether the Veteran still wants to pursue his claims, request relevant SSA records, obtain any private or VA treatment records, and schedule additional VA examinations if requested.

The Veteran's claims for viral pericarditis, gastrointestinal disorder, and heart disorders are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for bilateral upper extremity paresthesias is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the appellant's esophageal disorder.

The Veteran's GERD with diarrhea was granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent, effective September 4, 2007. The lumbar spine disability received a separate 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome and a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease. Left leg radiculopathy received a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various gastrointestinal and psychiatric conditions, as well as a crushed right foot with bone spur, are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied. The current disability evaluation is 10 percent, and the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms or clinical findings.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal disorder and diarrhea, finding no evidence of a direct link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, tinea corporis, and gastrointestinal disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his gastrointestinal system, as diagnostic testing was not completed in the past few years and he reported ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for GERD with irritable bowel syndrome was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's hydrocephalus claim, which is related to GERD, also failed to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's GERD with dysphagia and hiatal hernia is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The undifferentiated somatoform disorder prior to October 15, 2011, remains rated at 10 percent; however, since that date, it has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of psychogenic gastrointestinal reaction and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to evaluate his service-connected gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran also requested a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected, as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's gastritis with GERD has been granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective August 16, 2004. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.