GERD and IBS claims for increase: should they be submitted together?

[mb76]

I am SC for GERD and IBS. I need to file for an increase on both. I already know about pyramiding, so I understand that I will just have one rating under gastrointestinal. Is there any strategy to filing for these? Would filing them together be different than filing them seperately? 

[brokensoldier244th]

If you file them together they will likely be on the same exam request and happen relatively close to each other or at the same time. If you file them separately then 1 could go to one examiner and the other to someone else and now you are dependent on each of their respective schedules. 

[El Train]

Mine were combined (Even thought I claimed both separately).  I believe they will go with the higher rating of the two symptoms since you have both.  Kind of like my PTSD/TBI.  My 100% PTSD was higher than my 70% TBI.  So I got 100% combined.

[broncovet]

It depends on if you need money or not.  Your effective date wont be earlier than the date you apply, so if you wait on one or more of these, if awarded, you will lose out on retro.  

To maximize retro, apply at the earliest possible time, for each benefit sought.