GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's GERD is not rated higher than 0 percent because it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7346, which governs ratings of hiatal hernias.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating determinations due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has reopened the claims for tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder (acid reflux), and migraine headaches. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The cases are remanded for additional examinations to determine if his gastrointestinal disorder and migraine headaches are related to service.

The Veteran's low back condition is related to in-service back trauma and has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's neck, sleep apnea, arthritis of upper extremities, gastrointestinal condition (hiatal hernia and acid reflux), left knee, right knee, left ankle, hypertension, and skin condition have not yet been determined due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete information about the appellant's active duty periods.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for gastrointestinal disability, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for chondromalacia of patella of the right knee, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, of the lumbar spine. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with these claims.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, back disorder, GERD, hypertension, right knee disability, and pes planus. The appeals are pending as new evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection as there was no timely substantive appeal filed within 60 days of the August 2014 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are considered to be aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his hip and spine conditions. As such, the claim for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the entire appeal to be dismissed.

The Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder, skin disorders, left knee strain, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, and muscular and joint pain are all granted. The appeals have been remanded for additional medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS with GERD has been rated at 10 percent since August 2010. The Board has now granted a 30 percent rating for this condition, finding that the symptoms are of such severity as to be productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10% prior to October 9, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms were not severe enough for a higher rating.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is rated at 10 percent from April 26, 2013 to July 9, 2015 and at 30 percent from July 10, 2015. The Board has remanded the case for a new examination regarding his lumbar strain.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, GERD, and PCT. The back disability is caused or chronically worsened by altered body mechanics resulting from service-connected knee disabilities. GERD is etiologically related to the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer. PCT was as likely as not manifest within one year of the date of last exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and the other issues were denied or not addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, Barrett’s esophagitis, and esophageal ulcers are remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the relationship between his symptoms in service and current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's perforated colonic diverticulum, including whether it was caused by carelessness or negligence on VA's part.