GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his GERD, as he reported worsening symptoms since his last VA examination.

The Board has dismissed appeals for lack of stamina, obstructive sleep apnea, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. Appeals for hypertension (secondary to PTSD), kidney failure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and considering all relevant evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and unscannable documents. The cervical spine disability claim is also being remanded for a new opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with acid reflux and undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War exposure are being remanded as the Board notes insufficient contemporaneous information to evaluate these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's GERD, Parkinson’s disease, residuals of stroke, tremors, and memory loss are related to his military service or exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's headaches are not related to service, except for those already compensated by her fibromyalgia rating. The Veteran's GERD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on persistent symptoms. Her fibromyalgia and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) appeals have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for hemorrhoids and GERD have been dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus has been partially granted with a 10% rating prior to February 27, 2018, but denied thereafter. Appeals for wrist disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hyperlipidemia as it is not a disability in and of itself. The claims for the remaining conditions are remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, SSA records, and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and review of his treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals, status post sigmoid colectomy and colocolostomy, to include incisional hernia surgeries, are rated at a maximum 100 percent rating. The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia is rated at a 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety), a gastrointestinal disability (including gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)), and insomnia due to outstanding records from service treatment and personnel records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's GERD and its relationship to service. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition upon entry into military service, but his GERD may be related to a pre-existing condition or tropical sprue syndrome during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors. The conditions of interest include dental issues, hallux valgus of the feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right ankle condition, varicocele condition, low back condition, left knee condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headache condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the cases of peripheral vascular disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and diabetes mellitus for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, GERD, and granted an effective date of May 6, 2013 for a 60% rating for Hepatitis C. The claims were otherwise denied.

The Board denied service connection for chemical sensitivity disorder and hot flashes, both claimed as due to exposure to various chemicals in service.,Service connection was also denied for gastroesophageal reflux disease with acid reflux (claimed as secondary to service-connected asthma).

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence showing it began during or within one year after service.,Service connection for GERD was denied because there is no evidence linking it to service, and the preponderance of the evidence indicates it did not arise until years after service.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence supporting such a condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, is dismissed because the RO granted service connection for gastric erosions secondary to his service-connected bilateral patellofemoral syndrome and assigned a 60% rating effective February 26, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected PTSD, as well as claims for various other disabilities. The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the need for updated medical examinations and opinions regarding the severity of PTSD and the etiology of asthma.