GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

Service connection is granted for a left upper extremity nerve disability. The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his other service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for memory loss and lack of concentration due to his withdrawal request. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety, are granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral knee condition, vertigo, acid reflux, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for any of the conditions listed, as there is no evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia was rated at 10 percent since November 2005. The Board has determined that as of August 2016, the Veteran’s GERD most nearly approximates the criteria associated with a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left ankle, bilateral lower extremity (claimed as secondary to low back disability), and left testalgia disabilities. The gastrointestinal disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea is granted at a 50% rating, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an initial 30% rating as of September 25, 2014. No other conditions have been granted or denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service connection claim for GERD and increased rating claims for IVDS of the cervical spine. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted under either the General Rating Formula or the IVDS Formula.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, tinnitus, and headaches are all related to her service. The left knee condition and gastrointestinal condition other than GERD have not been established as being related to her service.,Further examination is needed for the left knee condition and a determination on the gastrointestinal condition other than GERD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran’s OSA is aggravated by his service-connected GERD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,For his right knee condition, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus, the Board has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after obtaining additional information and a new opinion from a gastroenterologist.

The Veteran's skin cancer and GERD were not found to be related to his military service.,PTSD was rated at 30%, 50%, and 70% prior to, from February 24, 2011 to February 3, 2016, and after February 4, 2016 respectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with a history of esophagitis and an increased evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling examinations, and considering all applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and depression) are being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran needs to be provided with a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection of asthma. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence that his current tinnitus disability is related to military service. Service connection for GERD was granted, with a finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service complaints and treatment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorders, and a disability rating higher than 10 percent for a headache disorder due to new evidence or medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal includes three issues: service connection for residuals of left ankle fracture with degenerative changes, initial compensable rating for Hepatitis B, and initial compensable rating for Gastroesophageal reflux disease. The decision on the service connection issue is mixed (some granted, some not).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, is being examined again to determine if it was incurred in or aggravated by his military service. For the acid reflux disability (GERD), a new VA examination will be conducted to assess its onset during service and whether it is related to his psychiatric disability.