GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is found to be causally related to service, specifically a July 4, 1985 incident during active duty. Service connection for GERD is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for GERD, finding that it had its onset in his military service. The initial compensable rating of 10% for service-connected rhinitis with sinusitis is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including right arm radial nerve neuropathy, shoulder rotator cuff repair, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, left and right knee surgeries, and GERD. The appeals were addressed in the context of initial ratings assigned.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial rating decision. The symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating, as they do not include hematemesis, melena, or anemia.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's renal cancer was caused by herbicide exposure and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental opinion from an examiner regarding whether his current hiatal hernia with GERD was caused or aggravated by any incident of his military service, including his February 1973 appendectomy and service-connected scar.

The Veteran's GI disorders (GERD and hiatal hernia) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral knee disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left hip disability and GERD has been granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted with an initial rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he did not file a timely Substantive Appeal for the July 2005 RO rating decision that denied service connection for acid reflux, hemorrhoids, infertility, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye disorders, and joint pain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and headaches are related to his service, granting both claims.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 31, 2001. Her hiatal hernia with GERD and IBS is currently rated as 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the presence and etiology of a gastrointestinal disorder at any time during her service or related to service. Additionally, she needs another VA examination to assess the current severity of her right knee and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's muscle tension headaches and migraines are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his military service. His benign fasciculations, likely related to exposure to sarin gas during the Persian Gulf War, have been granted service connection. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is not service-connected as there is no evidence it was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that there is no clear evidence of hepatitis C or a gastrointestinal disorder having its onset in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling conflicts. The issues of service connection for various conditions remain pending.

The Veteran's current gastroesophageal disorder, including hiatal hernia, acid reflux disease, and peptic ulcer disorder, was incurred in active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete action on a previous request for an addendum report from the August 2008 VA compensation examiner.