GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims, including for a rating increase and service connection.

The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia were rated at a 30% effective from August 6, 2015. The Board found that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred was August 7, 2014.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with a 70 percent rating for anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's increased rating for anxiety disorder claim is granted.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. An initial rating of 30 percent prior to May 13, 2014, and a higher than 30 percent rating for GERD are granted. The Veteran's residuals of heat stroke do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and the issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding his PTSD rating and effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected post-surgical scarring is found to be painful, warranting a separate rating of 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings for the low back disability and GERD are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a 30 percent evaluation prior to April 7, 2016. The initial compensable evaluation for his hemorrhoids and hypertension were also granted.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's GERD, as the previous VA examiner's opinion was inadequate. The appeal will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety disorder, NOS has been granted a rating of 70 percent. The other claims have not met the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for GERD. The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by reflux and requires continuous medication, but the preponderance of evidence is against an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for right shoulder tendonitis, left shoulder tendonitis, and a muscle sprain of the back have been withdrawn. The Board has denied service connection for gastrointestinal disability to include GERD, Barrett's esophagus, IBS, hiatal hernia, and gastritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, GERD, a bladder condition, hemorrhoids, and a skin condition. The cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except GERD and bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as his audiometric results do not meet VA criteria for such a disability. For GERD, the Veteran was provided with an opportunity for a VA examination but no opinion could be rendered without resorting to speculation.

The Veteran's sinus disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, and ganglion cyst residuals are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran's residual scar status post excision of a pilonidal cyst is not compensably disabling.

The Board has denied service connection for a heart disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and GERD. The Veteran's diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are either unrelated to his in-service exposure or due to other causes.,Specifically, the examiner found that the Veteran's mild aortic atherosclerosis with history of myocardial infarction is less likely than not related to any in-service herbicide exposure and was not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The acquired psychiatric disability developed approximately 30 years prior to his diabetes diagnosis and is less likely than not worsened by his service-connected diabetes mellitus. His GERD is also less likely than not the result of herbicide exposure during active service or caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now entitled to a temporary total disability rating for convalescent purposes following surgery for fungus infection of the feet from March 1, 2010 to April 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's right wrist, ankle and knee disabilities, as well as his GERD. The issues of service connection for left knee and ankle disabilities have also been remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inclusion of VA treatment records dated between February and August 2017 in the claims file. The case will be readjudicated, with all relevant evidence considered.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore denied his claim for TDIU.