GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD, CAD, and right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for GERD due to insufficient consideration of lay statements and lack of discussion in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, gastritis/GERD, and PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, cervical spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's request to increase his rating for migraines from 30% to greater than 30% is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, scars on the left hand, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, heart condition, and GERD have been denied. The VA has ordered additional examinations to address these issues.,The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral knee arthritis, GERD, and chest pain.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but the Board finds that he has not been unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as evidenced by his continued employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation.

The Veteran's GERD is rated as noncompensable, and his initial rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress prior to May 16, 2017, remains at 30 percent. A higher rating is denied after that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to additional development needed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gynecological disorder is dismissed as there are no remaining questions of law or fact involving this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of legal briefs submitted in January 2017 and August 2017. The Veteran’s attorney requested that both briefs be combined into one decision.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his shoulder and gastrointestinal conditions have been granted, with specific ratings assigned. The issue of an esophageal stricture evaluation prior to July 9, 2013 has been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric conditions, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and acid reflux. The cases are remanded for additional development.

Service connection is denied for a right hip disability, right ankle disability, pes planus, GERD, and bruxism.,The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and granted a 10% rating for GERD throughout prior to September 26, 2017. The Veteran's vocal cord disorder was rated at 10% prior to that date.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating.,For his lumbar spine disability, the Veteran was previously rated at 10 percent prior to October 21, 2016. From that date forward, he has been rated at 40 percent. The Board concludes that neither period warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of esophageal cancer is remanded due to the lack of available service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder due to lack of current disability. The claims for right knee disability, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of GERD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is now pending for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including muscle weakness, dizziness, chronic fatigue, rhinitis, sinus disorder other than rhinitis, sleep apnea, GERD, skin disorder (claimed as skin lumps), headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.