Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

[Maurice]

Have anyone on Hadit.com rated for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease for S-C? What questions do the VA doctors asked you and what test do they do on you? Please help a Veteran

[Pete53]

They pretty much check for symptoms although they can run other tests that involve looking down your throat. Sometimes they can fix it by putting a baloon device down your throat and opening it up.

[willie 74]

Have anyone on Hadit.com rated for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease for S-C? What questions do the VA doctors asked you and what test do they do on you? Please help a Veteran

I just had a test for it actually. They have you stand on a platform and have you drink different liqiuds, carbination and something that is very thick. While you are doing this they have some type of exray on the entire time and the doc is viewing everything as it goes down your throat etc. They place you in different positions, first standing up then you lean on this platform and it lies you down for more discusting liquids and viewing. Other than this test the only thing that was asked was if I was expiriencing any type of heart burn etc. Hope this helps.

[jbasser]

I moved this topic to this forum where it can get more attention.

J

[Quint7]

I had the balloon thing done 2 years ago and need it done again.

I don't have any idea if it can get rated. I am SC for IVDS/DDD which in my mind MIGHT be part of the cause, but to get a Dr. to actually write a statement saying that sounds pretty far-fetched to me.

Either way, get the test and if they recommend it, do the balloon thing. 2 years of not gagging on water or almost choking on bread was wonderful. I'm calling my GI doc tomorrow actually.

Oh, just for info I'm 39 and this has been going on for at least 6-7 years.

Edited May 6, 2009 by Quint7

[pacmanx1]

I was awarded 10% for acid reflux for seven years until my doctor told me my symptoms were more on the line of IBS and I got a copy of my records and found out that I was diagnosed with IBS before I was awarded acid reflux so I put in a claim for increase and was increased to 30% for IBS so I am currently appealing the effective date since VA had evidence I was diagnosed with IBS. Sorry for the length but here you go. Hope this helps.

Here is the reg:

7346 Hernia hiatal:

Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health 60

Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health 30

With two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity 10

Here is the VA Exam request:

<H3 align=center>Digestive Conditions, Miscellaneous</H3>

<H4 align=center>(Tuberculous Peritonitis, Inguinal Hernia, Ventral Hernia, Femoral Hernia,

Visceroptosis, and Benign and Malignant New Growths)</H4>

Name: SSN:Date of Exam: C-number:Place of Exam:

A. Review of Medical Records:

B. Medical History (Subjective Complaints):

1. Describe all hernia surgery and results.
   
   
2. For malignancy, state type of treatment, dates of treatment, including last date of treatment if it has ended.
   
   
3. For peritoneal tuberculosis, state date of diagnosis, treatment, and date on which inactivity was established.
   
   

C. Physical Examination (Objective Findings): Address each of the following and fully describe current findings:

1. For inguinal or ventral hernia, state whether reducible, how well supported by truss or belt, and whether irremediable or inoperable.
   
   
2. For ventral hernia, state size of hernia, extent of diastasis of recti muscles, status of muscles and fascia of abdominal wall.
   
   
3. All residuals of malignancy, including residuals from treatment.
   
   

D. Diagnostic and Clinical Tests:

1. Include results of all diagnostic and clinical tests conducted in the examination report.

[etihwr]

I doubt you will get an earlier rating. Your effective date is from the date you filed your claim. You had one year to appeal and you let that lapse. The DVA only granted what you asked for. They rarely give you ratings for issues you don't ask for.

I was awarded 10% for acid reflux for seven years until my doctor told me my symptoms were more on the line of IBS and I got a copy of my records and found out that I was diagnosed with IBS before I was awarded acid reflux so I put in a claim for increase and was increased to 30% for IBS so I am currently appealing the effective date since VA had evidence I was diagnosed with IBS. Sorry for the length but here you go. Hope this helps.

Here is the reg:

7346 Hernia hiatal:

Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health 60

Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health 30

With two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity 10

Here is the VA Exam request:

<H3 align=center>Digestive Conditions, Miscellaneous</H3>

<H4 align=center>(Tuberculous Peritonitis, Inguinal Hernia, Ventral Hernia, Femoral Hernia,

Visceroptosis, and Benign and Malignant New Growths)</H4>

Name: SSN:Date of Exam: C-number:Place of Exam:

A. Review of Medical Records:

B. Medical History (Subjective Complaints):

1. Describe all hernia surgery and results.
   
   
2. For malignancy, state type of treatment, dates of treatment, including last date of treatment if it has ended.
   
   
3. For peritoneal tuberculosis, state date of diagnosis, treatment, and date on which inactivity was established.
   
   

C. Physical Examination (Objective Findings): Address each of the following and fully describe current findings:

1. For inguinal or ventral hernia, state whether reducible, how well supported by truss or belt, and whether irremediable or inoperable.
   
   
2. For ventral hernia, state size of hernia, extent of diastasis of recti muscles, status of muscles and fascia of abdominal wall.
   
   
3. All residuals of malignancy, including residuals from treatment.
   
   

D. Diagnostic and Clinical Tests:

1. Include results of all diagnostic and clinical tests conducted in the examination report.