GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, GERD, and a higher rating for PTSD due to new evidence submitted since the January 2016 SOC.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, and his duodenal ulcer with gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted a 20 percent rating from February 6, 2017. The issue of service connection for migraine headaches has been REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and skin condition to the lips (claimed as dry mouth), all secondary to existing service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's asthma with COPD is rated at 100%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the etiology of her musculoskeletal pain, cervical spine disability, respiratory conditions, sleep disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders. The issues are currently on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, hiatal hernia, and GERD were granted with effective dates of December 15, 2014, May 13, 2015, and April 22, 2018 respectively. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome was also granted but the effective date is set to the date it was received (May 13, 2015).

The Veteran's claims of service connection for duodenal ulcer, GERD, and diverticulitis have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded two issues: entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to higher disability ratings for partial rupture, right biceps tendon; status-post left ankle Brostrom procedure; and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Specifically, a VA elbow examination is needed for the right biceps tendon issue. The Board also notes that further examinations are necessary to assess the Veteran's left ankle disability and GERD with IBS due to potential functional loss during flares.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include digestive disorders, Parkinson's disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper consideration of the evidence and an insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is related to his service-connected PTSD.

Service connection is denied for a heart condition. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected. The stomach disorder, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as sleep problems) are not currently service-connected but are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disabilities (GERD, IBS, and status-post cholecystectomy) have not been adequately evaluated due to outdated medical records. The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's liver and gastrointestinal disorders are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for dysthymic disorder was denied as there was no CUE in the November 2009 rating decision.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss were remanded due to new evidence showing a worsening of his condition.

The Veteran's GERD with stomach ulcer is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of persistent recurrent epigastric distress or dysphagia.

The Veteran's eye disability, claimed as 'High pressure in eyes (Possible glaucoma)', is denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence showing its onset during service or within one year after service, and it is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for GERD is granted because the current disability is at least as likely as not related to service based on a diagnosis of acid reflux symptoms documented in STRs.,The Veteran's ingrown toenail of the left great toe is granted service connection due to evidence showing it was treated during service and persists into the present day.,Service connection for periodontal disease is denied because treatable carious teeth, replaceable missing teeth, dental or alveolar abscesses, and periodontal disease are not considered disabilities for purposes of compensation.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, hearing loss in the left ear, GERD, and skin rash (groin) are dismissed.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and fecal urgency and incontinence, are remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its connection with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's claims for a back disability, osteopenia, and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.