GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, acid reflux disease, and service connection for cardiac disability and erectile dysfunction. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The status of the other claims (GERD, athlete's foot, and lumbar spine disorder) is unknown.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric and skin conditions have rendered him unemployable for the entire period under consideration, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was caused by medications taken for his service-connected low back and right knee disorders, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by intermittent symptoms including nausea, reflux, regurgitation, and occasional heartburn. These symptoms have not been severe enough to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim of a bilateral foot disability was reopened, but the service connection claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and whether his sleep apnea and hypertension are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected diabetes. The issues of entitlement to increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for gastroesophageal disease (GERD) will be addressed in light of this additional development.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including peptic ulcer disease, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is not considered to be the result of VA treatment. The Board finds that there was no fault on the part of VA in providing the care, and that the event causing the additional disability was reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his prostatitis, duodenal ulcer disease, or lumbar strain prior to specific dates, and he was not granted service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorders are not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to Agent Orange and the nature, extent, severity, and manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a right eye disability and cholecystectomy residuals including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the Veteran's claimed gastrointestinal disability. The examiner must review the complete claims file and provide opinions on whether any diagnosed gastrointestinal disabilities are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left leg injuries, back injury, and stomach/GERD disability are not related to his service. The claims for residuals of a left leg injury (other than a left knee scar), residuals of a right leg injury, and residuals of a stomach injury/GERD have been denied.

The Veteran's insomnia is already considered in his service-connected PTSD rating, so he cannot be granted separate service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's OSA was caused or aggravated by any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for OSA is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional private treatment records. The issue of increased evaluation for GERD remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including service connection for various psychiatric, gastrointestinal, and substance abuse disorders. The case is being remanded to clarify representation and schedule the appropriate hearing.

The Veteran's GERD is productive of pain above the stomach and heartburn, which is controlled by medication. The Board finds that his service-connected GERD symptoms do not more closely approximate a compensable rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for permanent disequilibrium and service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for large vessel disease, claimed as coronary artery disease, has been reopened. The RO granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD from November 22, 2010 and denied all other claims.