GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow him a videoconference hearing before the Board, and for further development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and relevant post-service medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of his migraine headaches, cervical spine condition, GERD, gastritis, and residuals of cholecystectomy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension were denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 10 percent for GERD from May 15, 2012 to December 17, 2015. He is not entitled to a higher rating at any time since the effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Type II, a lumbar spine disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's digestive disability, specifically achalasia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder/hiatal hernia and dysphagia, is rated at 80 percent disabling throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities other than GERD are found to have had their onset in service and are considered a direct result of his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is at least as likely as not a natural progression of the lumbar strain noted in service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issue of gastroesophageal reflux disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including cancer of the left pharyngeal tonsil, ischemic heart disease, bilateral swelling of the feet, headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disability to include acid reflux, sleeping disorders to include sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder (chloracne), bleeding from the nose and mouth, tinnitus, an upper back and/or neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities of GERD, depressive disorder, and a heart disability, is being remanded due to inadequate VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with increased ratings for various disabilities and a TDIU. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's insomnia was granted service connection in April 2015. Service connection for sleep apnea and GERD were denied as the conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, wrist (CTS), and gastrointestinal disorders are found to be related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and gastrointestinal disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his active duty service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, heart palpitations, GERD with hiatal hernia, cervical spine disability, low back disability, nasal problems and left maxillary/ethmoid sinusitis, and sleep apnea. The claims were also dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal regarding heart palpitations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for right knee disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's GERD has worsened since his last VA examination in April 2011, and he is receiving ongoing VA treatment. The case is being remanded to provide a current VA examination and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, GERD, and bilateral gout have been granted service connection. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable rating for erectile dysfunction due to lack of penile deformity. A separate award of SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ has also been granted. The Veteran's hypertension and GERD are rated as 0 percent, while his bilateral gout remains at the initial 20 percent rating.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for service connection for retinal detachment and GERD. The Board has dismissed these issues due to the death of the appellant.