GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, scar from heart surgery, and other conditions have been granted service connection. A 10% rating has been assigned for bilateral hearing loss as of September 11, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as new and material evidence was not received. Service connection for GERD is also denied due to lack of a current disability for VA purposes. The initial rating for dyspepsia is granted at 10 percent, but no higher. Effective dates are denied for various claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, neck disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, anemia (claimed as fatigue), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraine headaches due to lack of a medical opinion on their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD and the need for verification of his combat service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for GERD, which he claims developed as a result of his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral calcaneal bone spurs and granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's GERD was found to have begun during service, while the calcaneal bone spurs were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, GERD and IBS was granted. The claims for bilateral carpal tunnel, right knee condition, and left lower extremity sciatica were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, CAD, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), hypertension, malaise and fatigue, and GERD due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran's active duty service included exposure to noise in-service without protection.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, asthma, GERD, prostate disability, skin disabilities, and a mass removed from the back are all denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year of separation. The Board found that the Veteran did not have any of these conditions due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The issue of GERD was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for GERD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 100% evaluation of PTSD is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal on the increased rating claim for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's asthma and candida esophagitis with gastritis are both rated at 10 percent, but his migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current GERD and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with psychotic features is rated at 100% and her GERD associated with the condition is rated at 30%. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left leg disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, GERD, erectile dysfunction, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, heart disease, liver disorder (abnormal liver enzymes), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, pulmonary condition, and residuals of acid reflux.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's private hospitalization at Cape Coral Hospital on June 29, 2016 was related to his service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia. The appeal is about prior authorization for this treatment and reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran’s GERD, effective March 16, 2017.

The Veteran's GERD disability is rated 10 percent disabling. He believes a higher rating is warranted due to his symptoms and functional impact, but the AOJ should obtain relevant treatment records and schedule him for an examination to determine the current severity of his condition.