GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, allergies, exophthalmos, an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypothyroidism.

The Board has denied DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of the Veteran’s death based on VA treatment, finding no fault on the part of VA.,The appeal is also remanded to obtain additional medical records from Huntington VAMC dating back to 1974.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to a duty-to-assist error prior to issuing the decision on appeal. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations and medical opinions as required by previous remands.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bladder dysfunction, finding that there is no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, right heel, and right ankle disabilities, as well as headaches, GERD, and IBS. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and GERD were found to have begun during service, with the former being aggravated by anxiety disorder. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple drug intoxication, with service-connected PTSD contributing substantially or materially to the cause of death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and service-connected burial benefits.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD prior to October 3, 2016 and since December 1, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The cases of left elbow disability, bilateral knee disability, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), upper respiratory disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of major depressive disorder was withdrawn. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, left knee chondromalacia, skin disability, spondylosis of the back, and sleep apnea were granted. The Veteran's appeals for head injury residuals (right and left shoulders), right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability were denied.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals related to the appellant's claims for initial compensable ratings, effective dates earlier than specific dates, and service connection. The issues have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to her service-connected low back and fibromyalgia disabilities. The Board finds that the medications prescribed for her service-connected conditions caused or aggravated her GERD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of GERD, endocervical residuals, and sleep apnea. The issue of service connection for hysterectomy residuals is remanded, and the issue of service connection for a headache condition (claimed as migraines) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, a right knee disability, and a left knee disability due to inadequate VA examinations in January 2018.

The Veteran's claims for neck disability, chronic lumbar disability, headaches, and chest pain have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for these conditions.,Service connection has also been granted for GERD (stomach pains).

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, treatment records review, and retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete VA examinations. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for acid reflux and chorioretinitis/retinal vasculitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.