GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The Board found that his symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating due to severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his GERD with gastritis is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for a new one.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The issues include vertigo, dyspnea, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, GERD, hypertension, neuralgia of upper extremities, prostatitis, sleep apnea disorder, and otitis externa.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, cervical spine condition, low back pain, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Barrett's esophagus (GERD) is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding the nature and etiology of any gastrointestinal disability, including GERD. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for acid reflux allegedly due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and an initial compensable rating for his cervical spondylosis.

Service connection for OSA is denied. An increased rating of 10 percent for GERD with IBS is granted, subject to laws and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits. A compensable rating for left little finger fracture is denied. Prior to May 20, 2014, a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. Since May 20, 2014, a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied. An increased rating of 20 percent for neurological manifestations of right lower extremity secondary to lumbar spine disability is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for neurological manifestations of left lower extremity secondary to lumbar spine disability is granted, subject to laws and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's GERD, particularly in relation to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's GERD was diagnosed within a year of discharge and he reported symptoms during service, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and a compensable rating for bilateral pterygia as the evidence did not support a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder and GERD. The rating for cervical disc disease was increased to 30 percent effective December 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected digestive disorder (GERD, pancreatitis, and cholecystectomy) is rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, calculus of the kidney, and renal disease were denied as they did not meet the criteria for service connection. The claim for sleep apnea (secondary to diabetes mellitus) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened, and he is now granted secondary service connection for a right shoulder disability due to his cervical spine disability. The rating for ocular rosacea with chronic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and dry eye syndrome remains at 10 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent is granted for bilateral lacrimal duct disorder. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records, as well as examinations to determine the existence and etiology of various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal condition to include GERD, right hand and thumb injured in service to include arthritis, and low back condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient indication of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service and has ordered additional VA examinations to address his claims for service connection. The Veteran's mental condition, including PTSD, depression, fatigue, and sleep problems, as well as his gout, left knee strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with pes anserine bursitis, and status post repair grade 2 strain right achilles tendonitis and normal healed surgical scar are being examined to determine their relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease (IHD), hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, thyroid disorder, and GERD due to service in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's claim for these conditions is not supported by evidence that they are related to his military service.