GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for colonic diverticulosis with GERD was granted, effective from May 4, 2009.

The Veteran's bladder hyperactivity is rated at 40 percent, and she meets the criteria for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and verifying his service status. He is also scheduled for a VA examination regarding his feet rash.

The Board has ordered the case back to the AOJ for additional development, including translation of Spanish language documents and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal disorder and heart disorder remain under review.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his combat service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds additional development necessary for the remaining issues as the Veteran reported worsening of these conditions since the last VA compensation examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left knee strain and granted service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease is related to active service, but his GERD was not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work during the period from September 18, 2006 to March 23, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service combat noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The remaining claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied due to lack of evidence relating the current condition to his active service.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of herbicide exposure and heart murmur were also denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected gastrointestinal and mental health disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral fallen arches, sleep apnea, and GERD due to incomplete or insufficient opinions in the previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions has been granted. The highest rating of 20 percent is assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy, with the remaining conditions receiving their respective 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's GERD was found to have started during service and is granted as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acid reflex disease is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinion. The AOJ must obtain a new VA examination and consider the secondary service connection theory.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for antral gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) with hiatal hernia, finding that his disability was not connected to his military service.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and narcolepsy are likely related to her period of active service, while the coccyx disorder is not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's GERD with duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral residuals of shin splints, a left shoulder disability, lower respiratory disease (bronchitis and asthma), and gastrointestinal disability (GERD/gastritis).