GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea was increased to a 50 percent rating, effective August 2011. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for the entire initial rating period due to his use of a CPAP machine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis and gastroesophageal reflux disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service.

Your initial claim for a compensable rating for GERD prior to June 4, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent level, which grants an increased rating for his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and GERD, both secondary to his service-connected PTSD. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and GERD have been granted increased ratings, but the right foot disorder remains unresolved.,The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the right foot disorder due to potential overlap with other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and lack of exposure information. Further examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis, as well as whether any gastrointestinal reflux disease, elbow bursitis, or dermatitis are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and GERD. The effective date for an increased rating of PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine djd with ddd is not service-connected as it did not begin during active duty and there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. Service connection for GERD was granted.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability, which has been service-connected since July 6, 2011, is now effective as of February 26, 2013.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease, and lungs residuals, calcified nodules of the lungs.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (other than GERD, hiatal hernia, and diverticulosis) was dismissed due to the Veteran’s authorized attorney requesting withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia and diverticulosis and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in evaluating evidence and not considering all service-connected disabilities when determining TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD, along with other service-connected conditions, will need further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of obesity, and therefore, his claim for service connection is denied. The diabetes mellitus, Sjorgen's syndrome, erectile dysfunction, gallstones, GERD, diverticulitis, thyroid disease, diastasis of muscle, BPH, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and bilateral eye disabilities are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD disability was restored to a 60 percent rating effective February 1, 2019. The reduction from 60 to 10 percent was improper due to lack of material improvement in the condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his disabilities and his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The Veteran is also required to provide additional records from J.B., a medical professional, who provided research indicating a relationship between his disabilities and his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a stomach disorder and respiratory condition were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, nor any in-service onset or relationship to active duty.,Service connection for the right ring (or little) finger limitation of motion claim was also denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left knee disability, and GERD due to conflicting medical opinions and need for new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea and gastrointestinal disorders are aggravated by his service-connected conditions or related to active duty service.