GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

Service connection for sleep apnea, gastroenteritis and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and finger joint pain is granted.,Service connection for finger joint pain is denied as there is no current disability shown.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD has been granted a disability rating of 30 percent from January 27, 2011. The Board found that the severity of his overall GERD disability warranted this evaluation based on symptoms such as persistent epigastric distress with pyrosis and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal pain.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the application for service connection for GERD. The Veteran must file a substantive appeal (VA Form 9) after an SOC is issued.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical evaluation and opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including a gastric polyp and prominent gastroesophageal reflux.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy with adhesive capsulitis, lumbosacral strain and thoracic spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis with spondylosis, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.,The Veteran's freestanding claims for service connection of PTSD, allergic rhinosinusitis, cervical spinal stenosis with spondylosis, lumbosacral strain and thoracic spondylosis with radiculopathy, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for a right little finger disability and remanded the claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, allergic rhinitis, foot fungus (likely athlete's foot), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, heart disability, liver disability, GERD, and sleep disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS and GERD were denied, as the preponderance of the evidence did not support these claims. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy in both lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss were also evaluated but no higher ratings were granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, anemia (claimed secondary to hiatal hernia and GERD), and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The claim for TDIU prior to June 1, 2013 is denied as the Veteran was gainfully employed during that period.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions, lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, right foot arthritis with hallux valgus, and GERD.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in the Veteran's records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastroesophageal disorder, including GERD post ulcer treatments. The decision is based on insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection.,Service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) due to new evidence added after the last rating decision. The Veteran did not waive initial RO review of this evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all listed conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of brain cancer, gastroesophageal cancer (claimed as esophageal and stomach cancer), liver cancer, and spine cancer were granted with effective dates set at March 9, 2011. The appeal was denied for earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to new evidence received after the June 2014 SOC.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as gallbladder disorder, post-surgical removal) and diverticular disease. The evidence did not show that the disorders began in service or were related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and lacunar stroke, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions being related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has not fully addressed the service connection claims for nephrolithiasis, acid reflux, and arthritis as secondary to Crohn's disease. These issues are being remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's GERD was aggravated by his use of medications associated with his service-connected disabilities, including gabapentin and sertraline.