GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, GERD with hiatal hernia, and Umbilical/Abdominal Hernia due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment in a sedentary capacity. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

This decision grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is granted, based on new evidence indicating possible PTSD diagnosis. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for stomach disorder (claimed as GERD) is also granted, due to the presence of GERD diagnosis.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for gastritis, hiatal hernia with GERD. The case of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to missing VA treatment records and unclear private audiograms.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diverticulitis, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), headaches, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, high blood pressure, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected diarrhea and gastroesophageal reflux disease are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for brain tumor, headaches, GERD, and neurobehavioral effects due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune have all been denied. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not provide a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's GERD and Barrett’s esophagus are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically due to medications he takes for it. As such, the claim is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, left and right thigh disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, and GERD. The remaining issues are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for GERD, increased rating for right knee disability, and increased rating for left knee disability. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated after obtaining his complete STRs and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran and her representative have provided a study suggesting a potential link, which needs further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including ulcer, hiatal hernia, gastritis, and GERD, as well as secondary service connection for these conditions to his service-connected paranoid schizophrenic disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that any current gastrointestinal disorders were related to military service or his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer, including GERD, is rated at 20 percent for the entire rating period from March 16, 2007. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating due to moderate symptoms with recurring severe episodes.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as well as additional development of his employment history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and acid reflux. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to new and material evidence having been presented.,An initial rating in excess of 100 percent for COPD is denied. An effective date earlier than May 21, 2010 for the grant of service connection for COPD is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 21, 2010 for the grant of service connection for depression with agoraphobia and panic disorder symptoms associated with COPD is being remanded. The earliest possible effective date is May 21, 2010.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 10, 2012 for the grant of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right hip disability, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, and residuals of wart removal due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux, lower back disorder, and pain down the legs for further examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claims are otherwise denied.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left lower extremity are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is denied as not warranting a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, but not higher. The evidence shows the condition causes persistent symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation.