GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and esophageal disorders due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran needs addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding whether his current diagnoses of hypertension, GERD, gastritis, and gastroparesis are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has secured and follows a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's gastric and colon disorders are being remanded for further development to determine if they may be related to his exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence and failure to substantially comply with previous remand instructions.

The Board denied service connection for allergies, COPD, intestinal disorders, acid reflux disorder, and kidney disorder as the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for hypertension and a headache disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not established, and additional evidence is needed to determine the nature of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was granted effective February 2, 2017. The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility was also granted effective November 28, 2018.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's peritoneal adhesions, GERD, and diverticulitis were granted a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU from November 13, 2018. The issue of service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD is remanded due to inadequate opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper respiratory disorder, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to potential exposure to burn pits during his service in Iraq. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral eye disorder, and deep vein thrombosis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation by service-connected diabetes.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for hypertension was improper and has granted restoration of service connection. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for ovary cysts, GERD, and an increased rating for hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities are related to his active service, including taking Tylenol #3 during service. The Veteran is also required to provide any documents submitted at the September 2019 Board hearing that reflect Tylenol #3 can cause GERD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, abdominal aortic aneurysm, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory disorders, vocal cord dysfunction, bilateral knee and shoulder disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and scars. The development includes obtaining service personnel records for the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service, as well as verifying any qualifying periods of service.,The Board also notes that the Veteran has contended that his conditions are related to hazardous exposures during his period of active duty, including exposure to jet fuel and chemicals. The AOJ should attempt to verify these claims and obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia, as well as cervical strain, are granted service connection. The issues of gastrointestinal disability other than IBS and hemorrhoids (to include stomach disability, GERD, hernia, and residuals of colon cancer), headache disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD related to personal trauma, and GERD secondary to PTSD and right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to his service-connected disabilities or prescribed medications.