Nsiads And Gerd

[Berta]

Someone had a post about this recently but I forget who and I found this decision at the BVA.

http://www.va.gov/vetapp06/files4/0623407.txt

The veteran's claim for SC of GERD due to meds prescribed for a SC knee condition in 1998 was denied.

The veteran's claim was again denied in 1993.He did not appeal.

The claim was re-opened due to new and material evidence-

In 1996- the veteran's diagnosis appeared for the first time in med recs as stomach discomfort and refluex diagnosed as dyspepsia.

In 1998 an upper GI series revealed GERD and a haital hernia. The veteran had been taking NSAIDs for a SC low back pain condition which were discontinued in 1997 due to the GERD distress.

"The examiner noted that the most important aggravating factor of his GERD and hernia was NSAID use."

"Order :

The claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is reopened.

Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is granted."

[3 years to retire]

I had the Upper Endoscopy done by the VA. I got a copy of the EGD Report

I had the procedure to help in my filing to get GERD to be authorized as secondary to my service condition due to the use of Salsalate (see prior post)over the years for my s/c disability being both of my knees.

Here is a quick copy of the report:

Procedures Panendoscopy CPT with biopsy brushing(s) CPT

Indications symptoms: Reflux symptoms 6-10 yrs, occuring 3 times per week.

History: History of salsalate

Medical/Surgical Hisory: Reflux Disease, Osteoarthritis, Hemorrhoids

Exam: Maximum depth of insertion Duodenum, Vocal cords visualized, Gasric retroflexion performed. Images were not taken. ASA Classification: 11. Tolerance: good

comments: Site marking not required, Time out done. Preoperative Imaging

Other Findings:

Biopsy/Other Finding taken. Path # 3 Comments: 1.5 cm of erythematious mucosa in the distal esophagus

Polyp: in Body Maximum size: 3 mm Procedure : biopsy without cautery, removed Polyp retrieved, sent to pathology. Path 3 1

Normal: Duodenal Bulb to Duodenal 2nd Portion

Other Findin: in Antrum. Biopsy/other finding taken Path #3.

Comments Mild antral erythema

Assessment Abnormal examination, see findings above

Diagnoses: 211.1: Neoplasia, Benign, Stomach

Medication: Await pathology

Well that is the short of it. I know that I have to wait on the biopsy information to come back. But did this procedure help in my claiming Gerd as secondary?

Any comments. Thanks

[3 years to retire]

I had the Upper Endoscopy done by the VA. I got a copy of the EGD Report

I had the procedure to help in my filing to get GERD to be authorized as secondary to my service condition due to the use of Salsalate (see prior post)over the years for my s/c disability being both of my knees.

Here is a quick copy of the report:

Procedures Panendoscopy CPT with biopsy brushing(s) CPT

Indications symptoms: Reflux symptoms 6-10 yrs, occuring 3 times per week.

History: History of salsalate

Medical/Surgical Hisory: Reflux Disease, Osteoarthritis, Hemorrhoids

Exam: Maximum depth of insertion Duodenum, Vocal cords visualized, Gasric retroflexion performed. Images were not taken. ASA Classification: 11. Tolerance: good

comments: Site marking not required, Time out done. Preoperative Imaging

Other Findings:

Biopsy/Other Finding taken. Path # 3 Comments: 1.5 cm of erythematious mucosa in the distal esophagus

Polyp: in Body Maximum size: 3 mm Procedure : biopsy without cautery, removed Polyp retrieved, sent to pathology. Path 3 1

Normal: Duodenal Bulb to Duodenal 2nd Portion

Other Findin: in Antrum. Biopsy/other finding taken Path #3.

Comments Mild antral erythema

Assessment Abnormal examination, see findings above

Diagnoses: 211.1: Neoplasia, Benign, Stomach

Medication: Await pathology

Well that is the short of it. I know that I have to wait on the biopsy information to come back. But did this procedure help in my claiming Gerd as secondary?

Any comments. Thanks

Just was wondering if this process helped in my request for Gerd as secondary....especailly the "comments Mild antral erythema...which I would associcate with the VA med. Salsalate. Anybody with medical knowledge or advice?

Any comments?

Thanks again.

[Berta]

Salsalate , as a NSAID, would certainly support GERD claim, as secondary to this medication.

There are plenty of web sites with med info on salsalite.

I am not a doctor-

erythema-I have seen this as a skin condition in a friend of mine with AO diabetes.

He has very small red bumps on his face-not enough to be a rash-and very hard to notice- unless he is in sunlight.

He is AmerIndian with fairly light skin and-if he tans this condition isnt noticable at all.

antral -meaning however the lining of the stomach-

I think this means medically that there is obvious visible irritation of the antral-and this is probably due to the Salsalate

I could not find these two terms used together

but it means one could deduce a visible irritation of the stomach-

and the salsasite more than likely caused it.

[luvHIM]

I, too,have a claim in for entitlement to service connect GERD on a secondary basis. I was diagnosed in 2004, after NSAID usage for my SC lower back condition.

In fact, I've been away from the forum for awhile gathering everything together for that, while I battle with pain issues again. I'm just now getting a grip on things again.

But this is a great thread to happen back on.

I'm going to look up Barrett's disease, especially since it can be due to GERD. That is not very comforting.

[Guest maddog66]

Icompleted my third and final ablation surgery for Barrett's on Feb 5th and the pathology report came back this Monday and I am Barrett's free. A complete endoscopy including biopies is necessary to confirm the presence of Barrett's or worse dysplasia. My first endoscopy in June 2007 found high grade dysplasia which can quickly lead to cancer. I went for a second gastroenterologist opinion and had an ultrasound endoscopy,CAT scan and PET scan. It was determined that I had Barrett's with low grade dysplasia so the treatment protocols were less radical than others. In any case I stay on my soap box and ask anyone with long term reflux, heartburn or any other upper GI problems to have an exam. I went for many years living on antiacids rather than having a specialist check me out. I dodged a big bullet this year. Good luck to you and I hope your condition is treatable with NEXIUM, ZEGARID or other proton inhibitors.

[3 years to retire]

Question I forgot to ask.

Will this medical report be automatic included in my appeal on requesting Gerd as a seconday to my s/c disability? Should I mail a copy of it to the VA and request it to be included with my appeal that I had already mailed in? Or should I let it be for now and wait to hear form the VA?

Also, I just order a copy of my military Personnel/Medical records to see if there were any problems with Gerds back then. If I do find something, can I also add that to my appeal?

Thanks