GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s tinnitus had its onset during active service and will resolve the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's GERD and tinea pedis were present at separation from service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating, and service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD is also granted. Service connection for migraine headache disability as secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of a compensable rating and earlier effective date for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Specifically, a new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is considered service-connected as it manifested during his active duty and continues to the present day.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of current diagnosis. The case was remanded for further action on the GERD secondary to PTSD or medications taken for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing loss (right ear), GERD, skin condition, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a nervous condition. The Board also dismissed the claim for lumbago and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's GERD with a hiatal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the criteria for a higher disability rating have not been met, and denied the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the issues of service connection for a back disability, left leg disability, hypertension, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims seeking service connection for diabetic enteropathy, prostate cancer, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as his initial increased rating for ischemic heart disease. The Board also dismissed his petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a skin condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, while his claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, respiratory disorder, sleep disturbances, GERD, headaches, and testicular pain are denied. The decision also includes remand items.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to adjudicate the special monthly compensation claim and has therefore remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD, is granted. The initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD is also granted. However, the issue regarding service connection for a thoracolumbar back disorder remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to her service-connected chronic kidney disease.,The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is granted as secondary to NSAIDs used for her service-connected right knee and low back pain. ,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant an increase to higher ratings.

This decision grants the Veteran's request for VA outpatient dental treatment. The Board denied service connection for left and right elbow disorders, cardiomyopathy, and denies initial ratings for rheumatoid arthritis, left foot calcaneal spur, hypertension, and GERD. Service connection is granted for depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for a current disability.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated noncompensably disabling, and higher ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence of two or more symptoms warranting a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.,The Veteran's ED is currently rated noncompensably disabling as there is no deformity shown. ,The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated noncompensably disabling, and higher ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence of prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Veteran's TMJ disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for chest pain, right wrist disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic digestive disability, including GERD, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event that caused his current condition.