GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD have been granted service connection. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of these conditions that began during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and insomnia. The decision is based on a lack of current disability diagnoses that meet VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for effective dates prior to November 7, 2013 for service connection of major depressive disorder, GERD, and left wrist strain due to lack of written communication indicating intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's GERD, right shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service-connected. The rating for the GERD is set at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as these conditions are found to be related to service exposure to burn pits. The Veteran's cancer was diagnosed in service, while his GERD symptoms began during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral shoulder disability, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee disability, and GERD due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in February 2012. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete medical records, need for new examinations, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board found that a timely substantive appeal was not received as to the July 2004 rating decision, which denied service connection for numbness arms and legs, residual from laceration right medial calf, hypertension, residual of battery acid in left eye, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear. The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of December 12, 2007.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete opinions regarding service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a stomach disability was granted, and the issues of service connection for various disabilities were remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including right eye retina disability, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, constipation, PTSD, GERD, ED, and prostate failure. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is conceded, and he contends his conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

Service connection is granted for sleep apnea and hypertension. Service connection is denied for high cholesterol, fibromyalgia, left shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, throat condition, respiratory condition, and acid reflux.

The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction are not rated higher than the current levels.,PTSD was granted service connection in 2012, but an earlier effective date is denied due to lack of prior claims.

Service connection for left wrist strain is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD and a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine disability are denied. The Veteran's hypertension remains at the minimum compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory and gastrointestinal disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence regarding his exposure during service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and cervicogenic headaches have been granted initial ratings of 30 percent each, effective from October 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the DIC claim due to additional theories of entitlement raised by the Appellant, including exposure to ionizing radiation and a link between PTSD and GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational experience.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and a left shoulder condition. The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right forearm injury are remanded for further examination and analysis.