Gerd Claim

[Rich W]

I wish I came to this forum before I separated 2 years ago (and looked at VBA 38 CFR). I had GERD really bad about about 10 years ago which is recorded in my SMR's. It got better but I still had heartburn which I found more recently in my SMR's. I've been suffering from severe GERD again after separating and just recently found out it can be rated as a service connected disability. Do I have a shot at filing a claim since I have a diagnosis of GERD in my SMR's and have current medical records (from a private doctor) showing I am suffering from it? I know each persons situation is different but generally speaking if I had a medical condition documented in my SMR's and currently suffer from the same condition do I have a shot?

[carlie]

Rich W,

Welcome to Hadit.

carlie

[vaf]

I think your odds are excellent. I'd say go for it. You've got the evidence that it occurred while you were active duty, you continue to suffer from it currently, which meets the chronicity requirement. Get your doctor to review your service medical records for GERD and make the connection to your suffering from GERD at the present time. He's got to state it's as likely as not, or even better, more likely than not, connected to your bouts with GERD during your service.

[Pete53]

With the Documentation it should be an easy claim to win.

File it and good luck.

[jamesat40]

I have severe GERD and was rated 10%. If I'm not mistaken it can go as high as a 30% rating. As long as you have everything documented, there shouldn't be a problem.

[pacmanx1]

GERD is normally rated as hiatal hernia and the rating can go up to 60%

Diagnostic Code 7346.

A rating of 10 percent is awarded with two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity.

A rating of 30 percent may be assigned for persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation,accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health.

A rating of 60 percent may be awarded for symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss or hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia, or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.

Edited September 9, 2009 by pacmanx1 (see edit history)

[Rich W]

Thank everyone for the support and great information. I'll get started on the claim.

[Shark]

I just had my medical C&P today, and the doc agreed that my GERD was secondary to my DM2 since I have obvious autonomic neuropathy with gastric paresis. Now, I just have to see how he writes it up! He was a nice doc, only 5 months in the VA system. Of course, he could have just been allowing me to have false hope! Time will tell. I will report back when I get a copy of the report...they said 3 weeks.

[vmo]

I don't know if any of you had "endoscopy" (internal scope exam of the throat)to rule out cancer. Precursor to throat cancer is a condition "Barrett's Esophagitis"----where stomach acid leaves the stomach, traveling up into the lower esophagis. This causing irritation to the cell lining of the throat. This could be in addition to any hiatal hernia. *Because I suffer from GERD and slight hernia, my gastroenterology doc has scoped my throat every 5 yrs. There is nothing to this exam and I highly recommend you consider it.

[pacmanx1]

I have had this test done several times and the first few times I kept waking up trying to pull the XXXX thing out of my mouth and throat. They got wise and completely put me to sleep. Throat felt sore for a few days after-wards. I would only recommend it to make sure that you don't have anything developing in your throat.

[vmo]

I have had this test done several times and the first few times I kept waking up trying to pull the XXXX thing out of my mouth and throat. They got wise and completely put me to sleep. Throat felt sore for a few days after-wards. I would only recommend it to make sure that you don't have anything developing in your throat.

Sorry to hear you had problem. Sounds like you were under sedated. I've had it done twice, never any problem--never awake, no soreness. Same for my brother who just had one. Regardless, even if some one suffers some minor discomfort--the doc can sure tell a lot by looking thru that scope. In addition, take any needed biopsy's. My physician informed me of any complications, of which there were none for me. Oh well, the best thing to do is talk it over with the doc and get his/her opinion if test is needed.

[frosty69]

Regarding GERD claims, I just recently received a determination from the BVA, they service-connected my GERD problems secondary to by PTSD, being I am already 100% scheduler p&t for PTSD, there is no money involved, so never did get a percentage of disability.