GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for IBS, GERD, and diverticulosis. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, GERD, TBI, and sleep apnea due to his failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The AOJ must reschedule these examinations on remand.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and eosinophilic esophagitis is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches was granted, but the claim for sleep apnea remains not established. Service connection for left varicocele and recurrent low back strain with mechanical low back pain and lumbar spasm were both denied.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability is granted for a rating of 20% prior to May 12, 2016 and 10% thereafter. Radiculopathy in the left lower extremity is granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection.,Other conditions, including right hand surgery residuals, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, and right flexor hallucis longus tendonitis, are also granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left ankle disability was dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues of service connection, including for lower back, right shoulder, right hip, right ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, glaucoma, cataracts and presbyopia, orthostatic dizziness (vertigo), hypertension, and acid reflux. The claims are also being remanded for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, bilateral shoulder muscle spasms, chest muscle spasms, sinus disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder (claimed as asbestosis) is partially granted. The claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disorders are all remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lung disorder, hypertension, liver disorder, GERD, and diabetes mellitus type II. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's GERD disability is rated at a 10 percent since September 14, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of GERD, hypothyroidism, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability. The Board also denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus or an aggravation claim for GERD.

Service connection for 10th and 11th rib fractures is granted.,An effective date prior to February 6, 2013, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied.

An effective date of August 6, 2010 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.,A 30 percent rating for GERD beginning May 30, 2017 is granted. The Veteran's earlier claim to reopen service connection for GERD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, sleep apnea and hypersomnia, erectile dysfunction, and a skin disability (basal cell carcinoma) have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and GERD due to Gulf War illness as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active duty or any other basis.