GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his/her appeal with respect to all issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia prior to August 24, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's current sleep disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a combined effects medical opinion and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective July 20, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his anxiety disorder or any of the other conditions listed.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and GERD is found not related to the service-connected conditions. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis, sinusitis, right knee arthroscopic surgery (status post), and left knee strain have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and hip disability. The decision did not address his claim of service connection for a low back disability, which was previously denied in March 1973.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have GERD or a neck disability that is etiologically related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is being remanded for additional development and medical inquiry into the relationship between his current GI disorders and any service-connected disabilities, as well as whether they are aggravated by those conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to her inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal conditions, obstructive sleep apnea with paralyzed right hemidiaphragm and COPD, and cystic disease of the right kidney.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims. The Board also found no service connection for certain disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current gastrointestinal disorder related to service, and the VA examiner opined that the Veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, to include as secondary to residuals of an epigastric hernia repair, was withdrawn during the hearing. The effective dates for bilateral tinnitus and GERD were denied.,There is no indication that the Veteran submitted a claim prior to September 30, 2003, for service connection for bilateral tinnitus. There is also no indication that he filed a claim prior to June 16, 2008, for service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to make him unemployable, and the Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability.