GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to joint pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), migraine headaches, sleep disturbance, muscle pain, and weight loss are remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the nature of his diagnoses and their relationship to service. The Board finds that a Gulf War Protocol examination is necessary to determine the current etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for gastrointestinal disability was granted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus and sleep apnea secondary to service-connected conditions, as well as depressive disorder due to another medical condition with depressive features.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee conditions, but the claim for GERD remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for GERD and status post left varicocelectomy were denied as the evidence did not show that their conditions resulted in considerable impairment of health or required long term drug therapy, hospitalizations, or intensive management.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected GERD, finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his GERD.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's claims are related to his military service and various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and an addendum examination.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective September 28, 2012. The other issues are not granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's COPD has been granted an initial compensable rating, but GERD remains rated at 10 percent.

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

The Veteran's GERD has resulted in symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health, including chronic pyrosis, dysphagia, chest and shoulder pain. A 30 percent initial rating is granted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CAD and hiatal hernia/GERD, as well as the TDIU claim from April 13, 2013 to July 3, 2013 and from October 1, 2013 to July 21, 2016 are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional opinions regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected DDD with IVDS status post L4-5 hemilaminectomy and for an assessment of the extent of range of motion loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal conditions and urinary incontinence due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner. The case requires further development with a new medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, asthma, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims were previously denied in March 2004.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is granted a 70 percent rating effective May 29, 2012. The earlier effective date for service connection of dysthymic disorder is denied. The issues of increase ratings for radiculopathy and back disability are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux, claimed as GERD, is granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for traumatic arthritis, bilateral great toes, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims due to errors in obtaining records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's right shoulder, back, and bilateral knee disabilities need further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine, left shoulder DJD, right shoulder DJD, and GERD conditions are not rated higher than the current levels due to lack of evidence supporting more severe disability. Service connection for radiculopathy was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including whether they are related to his military service.