GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The appeal for service connection of a left elbow condition is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, but the other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the failure to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) addressing the issues. The SSOC must be issued before further appellate consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a stomach virus to include gastroesophageal reflux disease, and initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The Court had previously held that GERD does not qualify as a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI) under 38 C.F.R. §3.317.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for various conditions was received on June 22, 2014. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at the date of receipt of the claim, which is June 17, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, upper and lower respiratory disability, bilateral knee degenerative changes, left elbow epicondylitis; olecranon bursitis, muscle injuries, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), GERD, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions or that they were related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 28, 2010 for a 30 percent rating for IBS, GERD, and duodenitis. The claim was also denied for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding no evidence of in-service occurrence or nexus. The claim for PTSD was dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for a related condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, psoriasis, and acid reflux condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7346. During the appeal period, his symptoms have included dysphagia, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, nausea, melena, and hematochezia. The Board finds that a 10 percent rating is warranted for GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that her conditions do not prevent her from performing sedentary work.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition due to new evidence. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the right hip disability.

The Board has found that further action is needed due to possible worsening of the Veteran's service-connected conditions since his last VA examinations in June and November 2015. The Veteran must undergo new VA examinations for evaluation of his GERD and tibia stress fractures of the left and right legs.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, general arthralgia, a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo and dizziness, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The issues are being remanded due to the need for new evidence or further review.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions including muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, coronary artery disease, joint pain, and gastrointestinal issues. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and provide medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with vagotomy and pyloroplasty, and dumping syndrome is granted a 60 percent evaluation. The secondary service connection claims for acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are denied as these symptoms have already been considered in the increased rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and restless leg syndrome was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected deviated nasal septum and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis. A 40 percent disability rating is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from March 8, 2013.

The appeal of the service connection claim for a brain abscess is dismissed.,The appeal of the increased rating claim for tinnitus is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been presented, and the claims of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder are reopened.,New and material evidence has been presented, and the claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C are reopened.,A rating of 40 percent for a seizure disorder is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,The appeal of the service connection claim for fatigue disorder is remanded.,The appeal of the service connection claim for liver disorder is remanded.,The appeal of the service connection claim for digestive disorder is remanded.,The appeal of the service connection claim for hypertension is remanded.