Citation Nr: 21026564 Decision Date: 05/03/21 Archive Date: 05/03/21 DOCKET NO. 19-32 049 DATE: May 3, 2021 ORDER Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is granted. FINDING OF FACT The probative evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's GERD is caused or aggravated by his PTSD. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for GERD are met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.310. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served active duty from July 1966 to July 1968. Service connection for GERD The Veteran contends entitlement to service connection for GERD, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. Establishing service connection on a secondary basis requires evidence sufficient to show (1) that a current disability exists and (2) that the current disability was either (a) proximately caused by or (b) proximately aggravated by a service-connected disability. See Allen v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 439, 448 (1995) (en banc). The Veteran has a current GERD disability. The Veteran is service connected for PTSD. Therefore, the question for the Board is whether it is at least as likely as not the Veteran's GERD was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's GERD was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. A September 2016 letter from a psychologist who evaluated the Veteran stated PTSD causes a chronic physiological response to stress, which has been linked to increased rates of GERD. The clinician noted the Veteran reports observing when his PTSD symptoms worsen, his GERD symptoms worsen. The clinician opined the Veteran's GERD is likely linked with his PTSD. A November 2016 disability benefits questionnaire (DBQ) submitted by Dr. M.R., the Veteran's primary care physician since 2014, noted the Veteran reported an exacerbation of GERD symptoms with increased anxiety or stressors. The clinician stated the Veteran has chronic, severe PTSD, which is most likely contributing to and exacerbating his GERD symptoms. A December 2018 VA examiner opined the Veteran's GERD is less likely as not proximately due to or aggravated beyond its natural progression by PTSD. The clinician stated current medical literature supports an association between GERD and PTSD, but not a cause or aggravation, which suggests the Veteran's GERD is not due to or aggravated by PTSD. The Board gives probative weight to the Veteran's statements that he observes his GERD symptoms worsen when his anxiety or stress symptoms worsen. The Veteran is competent to report the coinciding increase of symptoms and the Board finds no reason to doubt the credibility of the Veteran's statements. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303, 307-08 (2007) (a lay person is competent to report observable symptomatology of an injury or illness). The Board gives probative weight to the September 2016 and November 2016 private medical opinions finding the Veteran's PTSD most likely contributed to and exacerbated his GERD symptoms. Both clinicians discussed the Veteran's lay statements observing an increase in PTSD symptoms coinciding with an increase in GERD symptoms. The November 2016 opinion was written by the Veteran's primary care doctor, who has a regular treatment relationship with the Veteran and is familiar with his medical history. The Board gives less probative weight to the November 2018 VA medical opinion. The opinion did not discuss the Veteran's competent lay statements or the favorable prior private medical opinions. As the evidence is at least in equipoise, service connection for GERD is granted. KELLI A. KORDICH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Winkler, Associate Counsel The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.