GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral radiculopathy was dismissed as the condition had already been granted. The claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected GERD with duodenal ulcers disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine DDD, gout secondary to diabetes mellitus, and GERD secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Court vacated and remanded these determinations due to issues with the duty to assist.

The Board finds the Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred in service and denied his claims for back, left foot, bilateral knee, and GERD disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, sleep apnea, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol abuse and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a disability allowance for a dependent spouse and child is denied as the earliest possible effective date is December 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including ratings for various disabilities and service connection claims. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed hip, pes planus, low back strain, neck disorder, or eye disorders. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was denied as his current condition is not related to active service. For the left knee disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent has been denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for gastrointestinal disorders including diverticular disease, IBS and reflux. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for various conditions, including right and left shin splints, a low back disorder, a cervical spine disorder, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than service-connected PTSD. The appeals were decided on the merits of the evidence presented.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current scleritis of both eyes, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The other issues were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, acid reflux disease, and sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. These conditions are being considered secondary to a psychiatric disability including posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility in August 2011 is denied because the treatment was not rendered in an emergency situation and prior authorization from VA was not obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of concurrence with the VA examiner's opinion and an unclear determination regarding whether the Veteran's GERD was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, left hand, and GERD have been granted as service connection is established.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and awarded a 30 percent disability rating. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to in-service noise exposure, warranting secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his lumbar spine and GERD conditions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and his service-connected right leg sciatica does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.