GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's condition did not have its onset during or is otherwise related to service and was not caused by her service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, chronic fatigue (claimed as tension headaches), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in relative equipoise for each condition.,Service connection was established for irritable bowel syndrome based on symptoms dating back to active duty. Service connection for hypertension and chronic fatigue were also granted, with the examiner attributing the headaches to Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran was entitled to a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD and hypothyroidism have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial disability ratings for these conditions.,For his hypothyroidism, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating from August 29, 2007, to October 12, 2009, and denied any increase in rating prior to this period and since October 13, 2009.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with GERD, finding that the symptoms are already contemplated by the existing rating criteria.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 2, 2017 and is now rated at 60 percent starting from that date. A separate 30 percent rating for esophageal stricture secondary to GERD has been granted since March 14, 2018.,The Veteran was granted a maximum 60 percent rating for urticaria throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and his service. The claim will be reviewed on a de novo basis with consideration of new treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a compensable disability rating for left arm non-melanoma skin cancer was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's left foot disability, migraine headaches, PTSD, GAD, acid reflux, penile deformity with erectile dysfunction, PFB, scar of the dorsal surface of the left foot, and painful scar of the left foot are all service connected. The Veteran is granted an initial rating of at least 30 percent for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee instability is granted. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for wrist conditions and service connection for hand, shoulder, and foot conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) with aortocoronary bypass and service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction (ED) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.,The Veteran's claim for total rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder was reopened, and the Board granted this claim. The Veteran's digestive conditions were found to warrant a rating of 30% but not more.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated during active service, while his GERD may or may not have begun in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Veteran is now granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD.,PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease with diverticulosis are currently rated, but the Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's left eye disability is not service connected as it was not caused or aggravated by military service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection for diarrhea of unknown etiology has been granted due to the Veteran being a Persian Gulf Veteran and meeting criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, as PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment.