GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's paraesophageal hernia is currently rated at 80 percent. The Board does not find any basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a cold injury, right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and various spine disorders have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, lumbar degenerative disc disease and small disc herniation, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 29, 2010. The rating reflects the severity of symptoms including persistent reflux and regurgitation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD prior to March 9, 2017 was granted. From March 9, 2017 onwards, the claim was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 60% rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran's service connection claims for conjunctivitis, neck disorder, pingueculae of the eyes, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and bilateral upper and lower extremity (BUE/BLE) peripheral neuropathy are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical opinions and records are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a gastrointestinal disorder due to the need for additional medical opinions. The issues are still under review.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The appeals for other conditions are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, GERD, and allergic rhinitis due to conflicting medical opinions. The cases are being returned to the AOJ for new VA opinions on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right knee disabilities, a right hand disability, a low back disability, sleep problems, GERD, IBS, varicose veins, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeals are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims of service connection for tinnitus and hepatitis C is granted. On de novo review, service connection for hepatitis C is also granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist sprain with partial thickness tear of the dorsal band, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an undiagnosed illness manifested by right hip pain, left hip pain, shortness of breath on exertion, vasovagal syncope, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and blood in stools. The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and spondylolysis without myelopathy are remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records not being obtained. The Veteran is asked to authorize release of his treatment records from Wright-Patterson AFB and Castle AFB, and VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's GERD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea are aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for bilateral pes planus and for service connection for hemorrhoids has been dismissed.,Service connection was granted for GERD, but the appeals for fibromyalgia, a bilateral eye condition (to include as secondary to or as residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI)), and a creative organ disorder have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding VA medical treatment records. The Veteran's claim for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, gastritis, and an ulcer, is pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tendonitis/bursitis of the left shoulder was dismissed. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a respiratory condition (claimed as asthma and bronchitis), and GERD were remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, private treatment records, and an examination addressing the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for anxiety and depression, service connection for throat pain and irritation with GERD, and TDIU are also being remanded.