GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and hiatal hernia. The decision on sinusitis remains denied.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a rating of 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's migraine headaches are denied any increase in rating. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD began during service and is related to his in-service symptoms, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The other claims have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, IBS, and GERD is denied. The claims for chronic residuals of medical or surgical complications of pregnancy (episiotomy) are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including chest pains, tinnitus, chronic fatigue, GERD, left hand tremors, and right hand tremors. The effective date of service connection for a psychiatric disability is set at June 27, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tumors of the feet, hypercholesterolemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and arthritis have all been denied. The effective dates are not specified as they were part of earlier rating decisions that were not appealed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to a current disability that began during active service.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran will need further VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2017 VA examination, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board denied service connection for GERD as there was no evidence linking the condition to service, and the Veteran's post-service diagnosis of GERD occurred more than a year after discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions provided by VA examiners regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and service-connected conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not yet resolved.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal disability was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of left total knee arthroplasty, residuals of right total knee arthroplasty, low back condition, and GERD were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for sleep apnea was granted as it developed because or was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of additional evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% since December 10, 2018. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition aggravated his hypertension and contributed to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis in multiple joints and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability is denied as it is based on the same factual basis as his previously denied head injury claim. The claim to reopen this issue has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, with a 10% rating over the entire appeal period.,Service connection for duodenal ulcer disease with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted at a 20% rating over the entire appeal period. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is remanded as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence indicating its onset during active service.

The Veteran's GERD and migraines have worsened since his last VA examinations, and additional development is required to determine the current level of severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for acid reflux and erectile dysfunction were denied as they are not service-connected.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disability (dysthymia with persistent depressive disorder) on October 4, 2013.