GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for GERD due to new and material evidence. However, the Veteran's current GERD is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated as 30 percent disabling since April 2, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximated the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (SDVI/RH) was denied because he is not considered to be in 'good health' as required by the law, due to his recent history of kidney and bladder cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and GERD have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or any service-connected disabilities. The Board found the July 2017 VA opinion highly persuasive in concluding that the gastrointestinal disorders are not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is at least as likely as not related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for IBS, GERD, and a bilateral eye disability as they are not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining National Guard and Reserve service records, providing an addendum opinion regarding his right foot gout, right ankle condition, and stomach condition, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,Service connection has not been established for a left hand condition, bilateral upper extremities condition, or an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding his GERD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability with alcohol abuse has aggravated his GERD, and thus grants service connection for GERD on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder disability, back disability, and GERD. The claim of service connection for migraine headaches will be deferred as it is intertwined with the claims for back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including additional VA examinations and the provision of a complete medical history to ensure accurate evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vision/eye disorder, skin disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causation to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and lumbar spine disorder are service-connected, but his gastrointestinal disorder is not. The Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma in service and currently experiences symptoms of tinnitus. His lumbar spine disorder may be related to a past injury during active duty service. However, there is no evidence linking his current gastrointestinal disorder to service or any other condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for positive PPD reaction and atrial fibrillation have not been determined. The remaining issues, including urinating difficulties, are denied.

The Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2014.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD has been rated at 30% since the entire period on appeal, considering his symptoms of recurrent epigastric distress including dysphasia, pyrosis, regurgitation, and abdominal pain.