GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to July 15, 2015 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 15, 2015 was granted with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for anxiety with stress and depression due to a lack of medical evidence addressing whether these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's entrance examination did not reveal any umbilical hernia, but his service treatment records indicate that he developed increased pain in this area during basic training. The Board has also remanded the claim for an umbilical hernia.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims on appeal are decided. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, GERD, and intestinal disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the April 2014 VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at a 30 percent since September 2015, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's GERD was aggravated by his service-connected anxiety and PTSD, and if it preexisted service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach ulcer has been reopened and granted. An effective date earlier than April 19, 2016, for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches is denied.,Service connection for a gastroesophageal disorder is remanded due to lack of nexus evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but his unemployability is due to his psychiatric disorder and bilateral plantar fascitis. The Board has referred this issue to the Director of Compensation & Pension Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD and/or PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rating claims and service connection requests. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any available Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson’s disease and remanded other issues due to insufficient evidence. Service connection was granted for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as glaucoma (eye disability), paronychia/onychia, sleep apnea, colon polyps, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent and there is no evidence of more than one daily injection of insulin or restricted diet and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's GERD and Barrett's esophagus disorder are being remanded as they may be related to his PTSD. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for GERD and an increased rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided the case is on appeal for service connection of GERD and has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD had its onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected neurogenic bladder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted increased evaluations of 60 percent each, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison, and the Board finds he is entitled to a TDIU benefit.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and restoration of the prior rating have been denied. The Board found that the reduction from 60 percent to 30 percent was proper, but did not find that the current 30 percent rating is appropriate.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 60 percent is not warranted due to lack of symptoms such as vomiting, material weight loss or severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to incomplete medical opinions regarding service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords and gastroesophageal disorders, including GERD, hiatal hernia, and Barrett’s esophagus. The issues are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.