GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the April 2010 and July 2015 VA medical opinions, as well as a claim for GERD based on excessive medication use. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD with dyspepsia and functional dysphagia, finding that the condition began during active duty.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a groin disability is granted. The Board finds that the evidence received since the last final denial relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, further development is required due to outstanding VA treatment records and additional examination is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD with Barrett's esophagus and remanded the issue of an increased disability rating for coronary artery disease, s/p CABG.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as well as whether her sleep apnea is related to or aggravated by her military service. The claims for service connection for plantar fasciitis and sleep apnea have also been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The case is being remanded to allow for new VA examinations and a review of the medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and GERD, finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claim for insomnia is denied as it is considered a manifestation of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The claims for service connection, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, and TDIU are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for a right knee condition, right ankle condition, GERD, and lower back condition are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of sleep apnea and hypertension, but denied for other conditions. The reduction in ratings for tinea pedis was upheld.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is already considered in his service-connected PTSD rating, so separate service connection for this condition is denied.,There is no evidence of hypertension or GERD during service and they were not shown to be related to service. Therefore, these conditions are also denied as service connected.

The Board has denied service connection for a cyst, sleep apnea, ulcers, and hiatal hernia with GERD due to the lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection cannot be granted as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions at any time relevant to the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DDD, chronic dry eye, GERD, nephrolithiasis, and hypothyroidism have been dismissed. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus.,For PTSD prior to January 25, 2018, the Veteran received a 50 percent rating which has now been denied. From that date forward, he is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left fifth metatarsal fracture, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and maxillary sinusitis have been granted initial ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for E. coli and acid reflux, fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, and TDIU were all denied as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of E. coli or residuals thereof, and there was no direct or secondary service connection established.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, hypohidrosis (inability to sweat), headaches, hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) as he withdrew these issues during his February 2018 hearing. The claim for an initial 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer residuals, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD), hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus was granted. The issues of service connection for thyroid disorder, cervical myofascial pain syndrome, defective vision, and bilateral shoulder disorders were also granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disability of the arms and legs, esophageal spasms, hiatal hernia, GERD, and obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened. The Board found that new evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. Service connection was granted for the skin disability of the arms and legs. The other issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for auditory processing disorder and dismissed the appeals regarding GERD, irregular appetite, TBI, and PTSD.