A distinction between the various causes of dyspepsia is important to establish in view of the significant differences in treatment strategies. Several previously reported studies have established a correlation between dyspepsia, with or without peptic ulcer disease, and erosive esophagitis. These studies were limited by a high degree of patient selection and narrow patient populations. Although the prevalence of erosive esophagitis and Barrett's Esophagus has been reported in patients with typical GERD symptoms, i.e. heartburn and regurgitation, the exact prevalence in patients with atypical symptoms of GERD (cough, asthma, wheezing, dysphagia), abdominal pain and dyspepsia is not readily known, especially in a VA population. Given that these esophageal diseases affect mainly older Caucasian males, studying the prevalence of these diseases in a VA population would be of extreme significance and importance.