

If your GERD diagnosis happened after leaving active duty, you might still qualify for benefits. If the problem persisted after service, obtaining statements from friends and family who can testify to your constant complaining about the problem following service can be helpful. You can also provide your medical records to show how the symptoms are curtailing your normal activities. Your service records should contain information about any pertinent injuries or illnesses. This is easiest to demonstrate if you incurred an injury or illness that caused GERD during active duty or had the early symptoms of the condition documented in your service treatment records. To qualify for VA disability benefits for a GERD, you must prove that your military service caused or aggravated your symptoms. In these cases, a valid secondary claim for GERD should be made. Often, these veterans develop GERD associated with their service-connected psychiatric condition. We have represented many veterans who suffer from PTSD or other anxiety disorders. Medications including pain medication, muscle relaxants, and some high blood pressure medications.GERD is frequently related to conditions including: If you are already receiving disability payments for one of those conditions, you may be able to apply for a secondary disability rating for your GERD symptoms. The symptoms of GERD are linked to other disabling conditions recognized by the VA. 10% - With two or more of the symptoms for the 30% evaluation of less severity.30% - Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health.60% - Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss, and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health.The disability rating for GERD symptoms in the hiatal hernia classification are: If you apply for a VA disability claim for GERD symptoms, they may categorize your disability as a hiatal hernia since it is the most analogous diagnosis available.
#BURN PIT DISABILITY PERCENTAGE CODE#
It addresses the symptoms of GERD under the diagnostic code for a hiatal hernia ( Diagnostic Code 7346), which is sometimes a cause of GERD. The VA does not have a diagnostic code for GERD in its disability ratings. The main treatments for GERD are medications, which can become a long-term cost. You may have to limit your diet, which may affect your energy levels. In addition, the discomfort may affect your sleep, leaving you constantly fatigued. The pain and digestive problems of GERD can make it difficult to work or engage in other activities. GERD can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities. If the muscles are weakened or forced open by pressure, the stomach contents, including stomach acids, can creep upward into the esophagus. The muscle is supposed to stay closed when you’re not swallowing to prevent your stomach contents from returning to the esophagus. That allows food to empty into the stomach. There is a band of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that opens when you swallow. Fried, spicy, and acidic foods like citrus and dairy may exacerbate GERD for some people. Symptoms may worsen when you lie down or after eating certain foods. With GERD, the condition becomes chronic, and symptoms occur regularly. Many people experience occasional bouts of heartburn. It’s commonly known as reflux, heartburn, or acid indigestion. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common and uncomfortable condition where stomach acid flows into the esophagus. Learn more about how you can get the VA benefits you deserve for GERD. GERD can occur due to service-related activities or as a complication of other service-linked disabilities, making you eligible for VA disability benefits. Many veterans suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and the symptoms can be significant. Heartburn doesn’t seem like it should be a disabling condition, but severe, chronic heartburn can limit daily activities.
