GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 16, 2016, to September 10, 2017. The TDIU is granted during this period and the appeal for a temporary total evaluation due to hernia repair is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for GERD prior to April 29, 2019 was denied. However, the Veteran is now granted an evaluation of 10 percent but no higher for his GERD disability beginning August 26, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted, and his PUD rating remains at 20%. The appeal as to the increase in PUD rating is dismissed.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has remanded these issues due to errors in the Board’s decision-making process.,The CAVC found that the Board failed to account for the Veteran's combat status and did not make a finding regarding whether his lay statements were sufficient to establish service connection for his cervical spine disability. The CAVC also noted that the delay in diagnosis of his GERD symptoms after service was unclear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied. Her claim of secondary service connection for GERD was granted, and her claim for a headache disability was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for sleep apnea, a skin condition, bilateral knee conditions, lumbosacral condition, gastritis, GERD, and thyroid condition.

The petition to reopen the service connection claim for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The petition to reopen the service connection claim for a stomach disability, to include GERD and acid reflux, was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The petition to reopen the service connection claim for a skin disability manifested by brown spots was granted due to the receipt of new medical evidence that relates to the previously unestablished current disability element.,The petition to reopen the service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dementia with memory loss, both of which are secondary to service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.,PTSD claim is also pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral SNHL, gastritis, headache disorder, acid reflux, and fatigue have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for a respiratory disorder (bronchiolitis).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations and assertions of worsening symptoms. The cases are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, OSA, fibromyalgia, CFS, GERD, and acne, all claimed as secondary to PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, despite his reported limitations and current employment.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, sleep apnea, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastrointestinal disability, and hypertension disabilities have been denied. The claim of service connection for a heart disability has been reopened but remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are a skin disorder, including dermatitis and eczema, and residuals of a right ankle strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD due to insufficient evidence showing a relationship between his current condition and military service, despite the Veteran having reported symptoms of vomiting in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including Barrett’s esophagus, GERD, stomach polyps, and colon polyps. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to his service in Vietnam, specifically exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange.

The Veteran's GERD is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms do not result in considerable impairment of health. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD), and Headaches as these conditions are not considered to be related to service.,Service records show the Veteran experienced anxiety during recruit training but her current diagnoses of Generalized Anxiety Disorder were found to have resolved by nature of the diagnosis being reactive or adjustment in nature with symptoms resolving once the stressor (boot camp) is no longer an issue.