GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), all claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness during Gulf War service. The examinations are needed to address the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The claim for service connection for cause of the Veteran's death is reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded to determine if GERD was present during service, if it led to esophagal cancer, and if exposure to herbicide agents caused the cancer.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of service connection remain pending as they are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses and ambulance transportation services incurred during a non-VA hospitalization at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital from November 28, 2016 through December 2, 2016 were denied as the claims were not filed within 90 days of discharge.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for hiatal hernia was granted, and service connection for hypertension, PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, major depressive disorder, right little finger ankylosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for various conditions was also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for neck, left knee, right knee, right foot, lower back, and GERD disorders as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's GERD with H. Pylori infection is granted an initial 10% rating, but his right knee scar is denied a compensable rating. The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his claimed right knee condition and to provide etiological opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was likely caused by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants DIC benefits on this basis.

The Veteran's right knee instability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and GERD was rated at 10 percent prior to March 25, 2013. Beginning from that date, the Veteran's GERD warrants a 30 percent rating.,Right ankle disability is remanded for potential extraschedular consideration due to instability causing episodes of 'giving out' and falls.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA medical records and requests the Veteran to provide them. The claims for service connection will be remanded until these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for acid reflux as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is granted, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) is granted, as the Board finds his statements credible regarding in-service events and concludes that his current diagnosis of depression is related to these events.,The Veteran's claims for a left hand/wrist condition and bilateral foot condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a left ear hearing loss disability is remanded for an appropriate VA examination, including consideration of aggravation by service-connected right ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disability is remanded for readjudication based on additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with associated peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, GERD, and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Right knee arthritis is presumed to have been incurred in service due to a chronic condition manifesting within one year of separation from active duty. GERD is found to be related to service based on continuity of symptoms since service. Bilateral hearing loss is not considered as the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's former position as a computer programmer with an Associate degree education level is no longer suitable due to excessive absences from work and school caused by service-connected migraine headaches. The decision grants reentrance into the VR&E program.

An initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for status post cholecystectomy with GERD is granted beginning on September 4, 2018.,Prior to September 4, 2018, an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for status post cholecystectomy with GERD is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for dyslipidemia and has remanded the remaining issues related to spine conditions, joint disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, GERD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, and his ingrown toenail with onychomycosis and tinea pedis is not compensably disabling. Both conditions are rated under the criteria for their respective service-connected diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, hiatal hernia, and erectile dysfunction to obtain additional medical opinions. The claims are also being remanded due to the need for a TDIU determination prior to November 13, 2013.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 10 percent rating prior to March 5, 2012 and a 30 percent rating from that date forward. The left ankle condition and metatarsalgia are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and migraines, but reopened the claim of service connection for GERD due to new evidence. Service connection was not granted as there is no direct link between GERD and service or a service-connected condition.