GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for nausea, GERD, and a stomach condition distinct from GERD and nausea. The appeals are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent before May 2, 2019. A 30 percent rating is granted for GERD beginning May 2, 2019.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, vertigo or Meniere’s disease, insomnia, conjunctivitis, cataracts, ulcers, headaches, right-hand and left-hand disabilities, squamous cell skin cancer, cholecystitis (claimed as a gallbladder disability), colitis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disability on the back, PTSD, right knee disability, lower back disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and GERD. The claims are denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities or due to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and rating considerations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for angina, a compensable rating for GERD, and a compensable rating for hypertension have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability and bilateral pes planus of the feet have been dismissed. The remaining issues, including those related to gastrointestinal and respiratory disabilities, are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD has been productive of heartburn and regurgitation for the entire appellate period, warranting a 10 percent initial disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and GERD have been granted, with the former receiving a grant of service connection and the latter being granted an initial rating.,For sinusitis, the Veteran received an initial 30 percent rating effective October 9, 2015. For rhinitis, he was granted an initial 30 percent rating as well.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for anemia, GERD, and a GI disorder due to untimely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for gall stones, chronic nausea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been dismissed. The appeal for recurrent paresthesias and tic compulsive has been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for prostate disability, chronic pancreatitis, and GERD, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's current hypopituitarism is not related to service, and the appeal for service connection for this condition is denied. The issues of a rating in excess of 30 percent for digestive disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance due to resultant helplessness, which has been established by medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected Crohn’s colitis is found to be the cause of his joint and muscle pain.,The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% since February 5, 2016.

The Board has identified several issues related to service connection that require additional evidence and a reevaluation. The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), joint pain, chronic headaches, GERD, skin disability, and sleep apnea are all remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been rated at 20 percent since November 3, 2014 and at 10 percent from January 7, 2009. The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to moderate recurring episodes of severe symptoms four or more times per year.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for GERD due to an inadequate VA examination conducted over nine years ago. The Veteran is asked to provide updated medical records and undergo a new VA compensation examination.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and awarded a TDIU rating based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, GERD, and now restored obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection and increased evaluations, as well as the issue of TDIU. The Veteran's representative raised a new issue of entitlement to a TDIU in December 2018.