GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding his service-connected conditions, particularly those related to sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for brain tumor and increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, GERD, and hypertension have been dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10 percent, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at 10 percent, and left foot disability remains noncompensable.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including neck disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot condition (claimed as gout), acid reflux disease, migraines, and hypertension. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities (plantar fasciitis and foot sprain) and IBS are granted. The GI disability other than IBS, but to include GERD is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for evaluations of his service-connected right ring finger status post fracture with scar and hand osteoarthritis, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and muscle contraction headaches need to be remanded due to the lack of recent medical examinations.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's motion for revision of a June 25, 2014 decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) as it did not meet the pleading requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for a TDIU effective December 23, 2010.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's current right shoulder disorders are related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to inadequate recent VA examinations. The Veteran will need new evaluations to determine current severity.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded other issues including GERD, tonsillectomy residuals, and right knee disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional records, provide a VA examination, and determine if there is new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected GERD with diverticulitis, effective from January 21, 2014. The reduction in rating was not proper due to insufficient evidence of improvement.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent evaluation, effective from January 23, 2015. The symptoms include substernal pain, reflux, and sleep disturbance due to reflux symptoms.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's GERD and Barrett's esophagus, including whether it is related to his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and GERD have been granted ratings, with the rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis being 50% prior to November 17, 2017. The rating for GERD remains at 30%. No new evidence was provided in this appeal.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher.,VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of his cervical strain and right ankle disorder due to lack of information regarding functional limitations during flare-ups. The VA examiner must also provide opinions on whether these disorders are related to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and major depressive disorder need further evaluation by a VA examiner to determine their etiology and relationship to service-connected conditions.,VA examinations are needed to assess the nature of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including its relation to his active duty service.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is now rated at 20 percent, hypertension remains noncompensable, IBS with GERD continues to be rated at 30 percent, and specific phobia and generalized anxiety disorder remain at 30 percent. Service connection for epistaxis, sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the date of entitlement and his employment history during the relevant period.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral elbow, wrist/arm, cervical spine, and knee disabilities, as well as hypertension and GERD. The Veteran's PTSD was also not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's left ankle and right ankle disabilities have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent each, effective prior to October 23, 2017. The esophageal condition has been granted a maximum disability rating of 60 percent.,The Veteran’s service-connected conditions are currently rated as follows: left ankle - 20%, right ankle - 20%, and esophageal condition - 60%