GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to additional VA treatment records being received, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the presumption of exposure to noise in the Gulf War.,The Veteran's testicular cancer is presumed due to herbicide agent exposure during service.,PTSD was established based on an in-service stressor, and GERD is considered secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD preexisted any of his periods of service and if it was aggravated during such service.

A 10 percent disability rating is granted for DJD status post right fifth metacarpal, effective November 15, 2012. The Veteran's atrophy of the right testicle remains denied.,The issues of service connection for chronic bronchitis, tonsillitis (secondary to bronchitis), epistaxis (frequent nose bleeds), and heart block (secondarily related to GERD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded seven issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's claim for skin condition is reopened due to new and material evidence.

An increased disability rating for migraine headaches is denied.,An increased initial disability rating for GERD is denied.,New and material evidence having been received, the petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbar strain is granted.

The Veteran's sleeping disorder, hypertension, GERD, and tinea versicolor were denied as not having been incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection was also denied for these conditions on a secondary basis to his service-connected knee disorders.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot condition, digestive conditions (IBS and GERD), and traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's claims are based on direct evidence rather than service connection through exposure to toxic chemicals or other presumptions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, a cervical spine disability, and thyroid cancer. The decision also restored the 50% rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to service-connected asthma due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are directly related to service or aggravated by service-connected asthma.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep hypopnea, specifically whether it is related to service or secondary to medications for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for episodes of chills and lowered body temperatures, as well as his claim for GERD, due to insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination and obtain medical nexus opinions addressing the relationship between his conditions and service-connected residuals of larynx cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and CUE in several rating decisions, finding that no legal merit existed to grant these requests.

The Board denied service connection for GERD as there is no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for reactive arthritis of the right wrist and hand, left ankle, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The claim for acid reflux, secondary to PTSD is denied.,The claim for an increased rating for residuals of right distal tibial stress fracture is denied.,The claim for diabetes mellitus type 2 as secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a duodenal ulcer and GERD as secondary to the duodenal ulcer because there was no evidence of pre-existing conditions, and the Veteran does not have a current disability. The Board also found that secondary service connection is not warranted due to lack of a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been properly evaluated, and additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's GERD/hiatal hernia is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met. For his left knee and upper back disabilities, remand is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's esophageal ring, pre-cancerous Barrett’s esophagus is granted an initial 50 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are granted an initial 30 percent disability rating.