GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including diverticulitis and GERD, did not manifest in service or are related to his service. The other issues were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and GERD are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected TB with pleural scarring and restrictive lung disease.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, hyposmia as a residual of oral surgery, and headache condition. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eczema of the bilateral lower extremities, and residuals of oral surgery. The Veteran's current diagnoses are found to be related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and possibly new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus was incurred during active service and the Board found it meets the criteria for service connection. The bilateral knee disability claim is pending as part of a separate remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II or PTSD, if found to be service-connected, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The Veteran's GERD was diagnosed in May 2010 and the examiner found it likely related to service, while his headaches have not been diagnosed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service or any presumptive exposure. The VA examinations and medical records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from March 7, 2012 to March 4, 2013. The Veteran's lumbar strain with a history of herniated disc did not result in significant disability. The Veteran's cervical strain did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was productive of mild incomplete paralysis throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's GERD has resulted in persistent symptoms but without severe impairment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and GERD are all service-connected. The pes planus is presumed to have been incurred in service based on the evidence of record. Cerumen impaction was also found to be incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the appellant's claimed stressor and to obtain additional medical opinions. The appeal will be considered again after these actions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's headaches and GERD are service-connected. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the claims, including entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a service connection for hypertension, hyperkeratosis of the feet, GERD or sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service. The Board finds that the preexisting condition did not worsen in service.,Service connection for a chronic GI disorder, including GERD, diverticulosis, and an esophageal stricture, is denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service and none are linked to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for gastritis and GERD is granted, as the evidence shows that he was treated for these conditions during his military service and continues to be treated post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and a statement of the case on his claim for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a non-initial rating of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis prior to July 15, 2015. He also received a non-initial rating of 30 percent for his status post left total knee replacement with osteoarthritis from September 1, 2016 and thereafter. The Veteran was granted TDIU.