GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent prior to January 28, 2014. The Board has granted remand for further actions on the issues of service connection and rating for recurrent fatigue, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and a higher rating for PTSD from January 28, 2014 to June 1, 2016.

The Veteran's GERD disability is currently rated at 10 percent from April 27, 2018. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating, including material weight loss and persistent symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied as the criteria for a compensable evaluation were not met, despite his need for continuous medication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating for gastrointestinal disabilities, including GERD and diverticulitis, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran is also being asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private medical records related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and further investigation. The effective dates for service connection are not being granted earlier than August 22, 2016.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including as secondary to his generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), should be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back condition, left hip condition, left knee condition, cholecystitis (gallbladder condition), and GERD. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

Service connection for GERD, carpal tunnel syndrome of upper extremities, and tarsal tunnel syndrome of lower extremities is granted. An earlier effective date of August 19, 2011, is granted for service connection for these conditions. However, an earlier effective date than October 7, 2014, for service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, GERD, and PTSD. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development, specifically missing VA treatment records from 1975 and a need for clarification on the Veteran's gastrointestinal diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, sleep disability, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson disease, circulatory disability, gastroesophageal disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities has been granted. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, bilateral upper extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral lower extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral foot disability, skin disability, and service connection for a lumbar spine disability have been denied.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea. Service connection is denied for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The case is REMANDED to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's GERD resulted in considerable impairment of health, including persistent recurrent epigastric distress with pyrosis and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal pain. The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to July 9, 2019, and a 60 percent rating thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinus/allergic rhinitis, headache condition, hypertension, skin cancer of the bilateral arms, high cholesterol, bilateral shoulder condition, appendix removal residuals, colon condition, GERD, brain stem stroke, sleep apnea, and heart condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted as secondary to long term use of NSAIDs. The Veteran's anxiety disorder with panic attacks is denied an increased rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including GERD, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, fatigue, and knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to withdrawals by the Veteran or his representative. The appeal for secondary service connection for GERD was also dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a gastrointestinal disorder, and a right elbow disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.