GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since March 15, 2009. The low back disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's esophageal motility disorder and hiatal hernia with GERD have been rated based on their severity, resulting in a 50% rating for the period prior to October 1, 2013. For the entire appeal period, he is entitled to an effective date of October 1, 2013, for his TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and for a VA examination to assess the severity of his GERD. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's GERD is related to service or secondary to his service-connected dumping syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. Effective June 23, 2009, a 30 percent but no higher rating for headaches is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and vertigo claims should be remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship of his current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of testicular trauma, a depressive disorder, and a stomach disorder were denied. The claim for PTSD was not granted.,New evidence received since the last denial does not relate to unestablished facts or raise the reasonable possibility of substantiating any of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD does not result in persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain, which would warrant a higher rating. Therefore, the claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding his exposure to herbicides during service. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains unresolved.

The Veteran's GERD and oropharyngeal disorder are being remanded for additional development to determine if they are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's GERD was aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The claim will be adjudicated again based on this new information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right ankle sprain residuals, left foot fracture residuals, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, impairment of sphincter control, and megaesophagus and GERD were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his megaesophagus and GERD under the provisions of Code 7346.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the service connection of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a gastroenterologist and securing updated VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent from November 26, 2008 to September 12, 2014. A higher rating of 30 percent is granted for this period due to ankylosis in dorsiflexion between 0 and 10 degrees. The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent from November 26, 2008 to September 12, 2014. No higher rating is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 23, 2006.