GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed. Service connection was granted for obstructive sleep apnea, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is remanded due to the need for further examination and assessment of his service-connected disabilities, particularly those affecting his lower extremities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD is granted. The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is evaluated at 10 percent, and the issue of increased evaluation is denied. A remand is ordered for a psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of major depressive disorder.

All appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his condition without medication.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with its January 2018 remand and thus the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux, finding that it was not incurred in or caused by active service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for atrial fibrillation and hypertension. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle sprain, IBS, and GERD are REMANDED.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left hip orthopedic disorder. The initial compensable rating claim for a surgical scar of the anterior neck remains under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and lack of relevant medical records. The issues include psychiatric disorders, throat disorders, chronic bronchitis, chest disorders, Barrett’s esophagus, ulcerative colitis, and GERD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claims. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this case.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin disability was denied. The petition to reopen the claims for hypertension and alopecia areata were granted.,PTSD disability rating prior to July 9, 2013, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD, which includes symptoms such as epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, pain, nausea, and other combined symptoms productive of severe impairment of health, has been rated at 60 percent since June 27, 2016. Prior to that date, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board grants a rating of 20 percent for ankylosing spondylitis with intervertebral disc syndrome. The claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, kidney stones, left hip disability, tinnitus, and neck disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial ratings on several conditions has been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding diplopia and right side second rib fracture, while granting service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, specifically acid reflux/GERD, is found to have onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective October 1, 2008.

The Veteran's glaucoma is granted service connection and an initial rating of 30% for duodenal ulcer with GERD. The issues regarding left knee and back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's left wrist disorder, hypertension, IBS, ED, and GERD are not service-connected.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran’s current left wrist disorder is not caused by or related to his active duty service.