GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was aggravated by his service, and he is now rated at the maximum disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of a right foot contusion, blocked ear canal, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused and aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. The restoration of the 30 percent disability rating for left knee degenerative changes is granted, as are separate ratings for painful limitation of extension of both knees and symptomatic semilunar cartilage removal of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for GERD and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service. The case is sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for glaucoma, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sexual dysfunction, PTSD, migraines, and pancreatitis due to additional development being required.

The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is also remanding the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder other than OSA, including COPD, due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is remanding the issue of service connection for a skin disability due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is also remanding the issues of service connection for sleep disorder and anxiety disorder both related to PTSD due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.,The Board is further remanding the issue of rating greater than 10 percent for GERD due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is denied an initial compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD is denied a rating in excess of 30 percent from September 26, 2012 through June 10, 2013 and 70 percent from June 11, 2013 through June 3, 2015.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for low back disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claims are now pending before the Board for further adjudication.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is granted as service-connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claim for respiratory disorder is reopened and the Board finds new evidence supports reopening, but does not grant service connection. Muscle spasms are remanded for further development. Digestive issues related to Camp Lejeune exposure are also remanded. Right knee disability secondary to left knee disability is remanded. A rating in excess of 10% for left knee disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, unspecified anxiety disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have resulted in total occupational impairment. The Board has granted Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) based on the combined rating of 80% for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the esophageal disability claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The rating for prolapsed stoma with stomal hernia remains at 20 percent, while the GERD with duodenal ulcer is rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran’s claim for a separate evaluation of colon cancer has been remanded. Service connection for renal failure was also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation, including service connection claims for respiratory disability, cervical spine strain, left knee disability, and GERD. The Veteran's claims are based on environmental exposures in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux, finding that it was not caused by or permanently worsened in severity by his service-connected below the left knee amputation.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his initial active duty training (ACDUTRA) military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right wrist disorders, index finger injuries to the left hand and right hand, pterygium removal from the left eye, chest pains, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and service.,The Board found that the Veteran's current wrist pain is not related to his in-service injuries and that arthritis of the wrists is more likely due to aging rather than service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, lung disability, back pain, hypertension, GERD, prostate cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service connected. The case is being remanded to obtain verification of herbicide exposure in Korea and to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The examination should determine if these conditions are related to service or secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, IBS, and GERD are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and new theories of entitlement raised at his hearing. The issues regarding hypertension and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound rate are also remanded.