GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia with GERD and a compensable rating for chronic rhinorrhea as secondary to a nasal bone injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a stomach condition related to his period of service. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity will also be remanded, as the examiner's opinion was unclear regarding whether it is secondary to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. The VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right knee strain. The examiner will need to consider the frequency and length of any incapacitating episodes in the past year.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. A VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's scar from a hand injury. The examiner will need to consider the frequency and length of any incapacitating episodes in the past year.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. A VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for headaches is denied, and his increased evaluation in excess of 30% for IBS and GERD, including entitlement to separate evaluations, is also denied.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus and denied a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's request for a rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease right wrist is denied. A 30 percent rating for diverticulosis, IBS with GERD has been granted.,Service connection for gastroparesis secondary to gallbladder removal surgery remains in dispute and requires further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for breathing problems and night sweats, as well as his claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The reasons are that a new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, gout, acid reflux, liver condition, hypertension, carotid artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to service or secondary to service-connected disability. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicides during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD on a secondary basis as it was caused by the Veteran's spine disability.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection and rating increases, except for the TDIU claim which was granted effective April 15, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, gastritis, chronic sinus congestion and allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of GERD. The Veteran's lay statements were found to lack probative value.,Service connection was also denied for the in-service bilateral tubal ligation and post-service total hysterectomy with history of endometriosis, as there was no evidence that the disability began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

This decision remands three issues: entitlement to an increased rating for hypotonic rectal sphincter with anal seepage, PTSD, and chronic occipital headaches. The Veteran's service connection is established but the ratings are not appropriate.,PTSD was rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Hypotonic rectal sphincter with anal seepage has been rated at 30 percent since January 27, 2009. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements.,Chronic occipital headaches have not yet received a rating.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,A compensable rating (greater than 10%) for GERD prior to September 16, 2014, is denied. However, a 10% rating for GERD as of September 16, 2014, is granted.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,A compensable rating (greater than 10%) for GERD prior to September 16, 2014, is denied. A 10% rating for GERD as of September 16, 2014, is granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for GERD, headaches, and lumbosacral spine disability were denied. The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for prostate cancer was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of her IBS, GERD, chronic headache disability, fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, and TDIU. The VA will obtain all relevant medical records and provide a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and her service-connected hepatitis C or polyarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete STRs and the need for an addendum from a VA medical examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The issues include confirmation of completeness of the Veteran's service treatment records and obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran’s hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected MDD, other service-connected disabilities, or their medications.

The Veteran's OSA disability is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his anxiety disorder and physical disabilities such as knee pain and shoulder impingement syndrome, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to these service-connected conditions.