GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, including GERD, acid reflux, and hiatal hernia, potentially related to PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for pes planus and Barrett's esophagus with GERD, denied service connection for PTSD, fibromyalgia, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, erectile dysfunction, a dental condition for treatment purposes, and a dental condition for compensation.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, eczema, fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, back disability, and knee disability. The Veteran's claim for diabetes was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the December 2013 denial.

The Veteran's chronic stomach problem (GERD) is service-connected. The Board has granted the reopening of his claim for this condition, but denied claims for residuals of an upper back injury and shortened left leg due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or aggravation by service. Service connection was not established for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for his obstructive sleep apnea and an addendum opinion regarding the potential aggravation of his acid reflux by medications for his service-connected back disability. The claims will be readjudicated after all development.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD, TDIU prior to April 21, 2009, and service connection for residuals of poisoned water exposure at Camp Lejeune are all denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date is April 21, 2009, due to the reopening of his claim for PTSD.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and esophageal disabilities are likely related to his active service, specifically during periods of Reserve duty. However, no specific diagnosis was provided for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including acid reflux disease and GERD. The Veteran is also granted an initial 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's GERD is rated under Diagnostic Code 7399-7346, as analogous to hiatal hernia. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's GERD was manifested by most of the symptoms required for a 30 percent rating. However, the level of health impairment caused by the Veteran's GERD is not specified in the report. A remand is necessary to schedule an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and personnel records. The issues include service connection for various conditions as well as the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran is not unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities, as the evidence shows he is able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and educational background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of decreased saliva production, transient ischemic attacks, heart disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are not related to his service. As a result, he is denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations to assess the severity of his GERD and right foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular review due to the Veteran's contention that separate ratings should be assigned for his various complaints. The case will not move forward without prejudice to the Veteran.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, including ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities are not related to his active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection and increased rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder are pending.