GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, gall bladder removal, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and gastroparesis as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist ganglion cyst and denied his claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder to include acid reflux.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux) before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, particularly her claims related to military sexual trauma and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC were denied. The RO granted service connection for depressive disorder, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension with specific effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for GERD and bilateral hand disabilities, require additional examination to determine the severity of these conditions. The claims are therefore being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea and GERD for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess their etiology and severity.

The Veteran's claims for tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea versicolor and onychomycosis were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for MDD was granted due to its relationship with service-connected hypertension and erectile dysfunction.,The claims for tension headaches, GERD, and OSA were all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted, and he is awarded a 20% evaluation for his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The claims for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy are also granted at 20%. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of complaints or symptoms related to sleep apnea during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of complaints or symptoms related to GERD during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of a pulmonary condition/respiratory problem, dental condition, vertigo to include dizziness, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), fibromyalgia and bilateral foot plantar fascitis were dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The GERD, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability was denied.,The application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was granted, but the claim remains pending as it is still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, menstrual disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining medical opinions prior to the January 2019 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD and diverticulosis, as the Veteran's complaints in service were acute and resolved with treatment. The current disabilities are not shown to be related to his service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and military service.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD have been granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's increased ratings for GERD and left hamstring strain have been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee degenerative joint disease have all been granted.

The Veteran's 60 percent rating for GERD is restored effective November 1, 2019. The Board found that the reduction in rating was erroneous and granted restoration of the 60 percent rating.