GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the esophageal condition, including whether it is related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded four claims: service connection for an eye disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a skin condition, and a bladder condition. The Veteran's eye disorders are being examined further to determine if they are related to his diabetes mellitus. His GERD is also being reviewed to see if it is secondary to his diabetes. The skin conditions need an addendum opinion addressing whether they are related to his diabetes or not. Lastly, the Board will consider whether the Veteran’s bladder symptoms are service-connected.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for asthma, hypertension, GERD with small bowel obstruction, and lumbar strain as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in an August 2018 written statement.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied service connection for GERD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is linked to his military service, while there is no evidence linking GERD to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran was denied service connection in December 1993 due to lack of evidence, but the current submission includes allegations by the Veteran regarding an injury during military training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and additional medical records establishing a current back disability.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disability is denied. The Veteran has been diagnosed with refractive error, mild allergic conjunctivitis, bilateral senile cataracts, and open angle glaucoma suspected. His current hearing loss was not caused by or related to his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as there is evidence of a current disability (sensorineural hearing loss) and in-service acoustic trauma has been conceded. The Veteran's hearing was normal at discharge, but he developed sensorineural hearing loss many years after service without continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability (tinnitus).,The Veteran's claim of service connection for Barrett's esophagus is denied. The Veteran does not have, and has not had during the period on appeal, a disability consisting of colon polyps.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for colon polyps, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and GERD are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is denied. The Veteran does not have, and has not had during the period on appeal, a disability consisting of colon polyps.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for diverticulitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or any link to his active service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, tinnitus, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD has also been granted a 70 percent rating.,Service connection for hearing loss was dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, but has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory condition and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and umbilical hernia, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, he is granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and/or GERD may have contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea, but an addendum opinion is needed to determine if it caused or aggravated the condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and benign prostatic hypertrophy were denied as not related to service or presumptive exposure to herbicide agents. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the respiratory disorder and asbestos exposure, but an examination is needed to determine if there is any connection.,GERD was also denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no current medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD, stomach problems with reflux and hiccups, and spasms of the diaphragm are secondary to his service-connected disabilities (concussion with nonmigranous headache and hypersomnolence). The claims must be remanded for a VA examination to determine if these conditions were caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic esophagitis, GERD, and a hiatal hernia is remanded due to the need for a new examination as seven years have passed since his last examination.

The Veteran's GERD condition has worsened since his last VA examination in 2014, and a new examination is needed to determine the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD are granted with a 30% disability rating. Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and not providing authorization for obtaining records from Dr. Howard or Ms. Shaffey, as well as receiving additional pertinent evidence after a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) was issued.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal and anal fissures as they may be related to undiagnosed illnesses due to service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran must provide authorization for VA to obtain his private medical records, and a new examination is required.