GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for private medical records.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected GERD and rhinosinusitis. The claims for bronchitis, hypertension, and gallstones are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew them prior to the decision. The Board also granted entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to multiple service-connected conditions preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, Diverticular disease, Sinusitis, Obstructive sleep apnea, and Diabetes mellitus, type II as they are not proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various disabilities and mental health conditions. The Veteran's dental disability is not due to trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis, while his bilateral foot, varicose veins, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric conditions are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her digestive symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's heart disability, including as secondary to service-connected asthma, is denied.,GERD requires further examination and evaluation for a higher rating.,Erectile dysfunction may be related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability or medications but needs clarification from the VA examiner.,Right knee disability requires additional examination to determine if it warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's GERD with hernia hiatal has been granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent prior to February 21, 2017. From February 21, 2017, the Veteran is still rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and chest pain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The appeals seeking service connection for various conditions are dismissed.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 5, 2010, meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an effective date prior to June 5, 2013 for the award of service connection for spondylosis, entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for spondylosis, and entitlement to service connection for disabilities of the right and left hips, cardiomyopathy, and GERD.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and dermatitis of the anal and buttocks area are service-connected. The Veteran's duodenitis is not service-connected, but his dyspnea on exertion as an undiagnosed illness is also not service-connected. Headaches are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for a skin disorder, and that there was no nexus between any of these conditions and service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has not required regulation of activities due to its severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, limitation of extension of the right knee, left knee disorder, bone disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left thigh disorder, right thigh disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, neck muscle spasms, visual defect, hypertension, GERD, brain tumor, peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy, seizure disorder, and other conditions. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's GERD.

The Board dismissed the appeals for numbness in the arms, myofascial pain of the upper back, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For cervical spondylosis with degenerative joint disease, a rating of 30 percent is granted as of October 3, 2017. The other conditions received initial ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for arthralgia, muscle pain, sleep disorder (chronic fatigue syndrome), asthma, and GERD due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's symptoms must be evaluated in the context of service records and his personal history.

The Veteran's vertigo has been granted service connection and his bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence. The issues include fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a headache disorder.