GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a salivary gland condition, genitourinary condition (including benign prostatic hypertrophy), and pneumonia. Service connection was granted for hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), septoplasty, uvulopalatoplasty and turbinate cauterization, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected vitiligo.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition and acid reflux, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for his broken nose and nasal disability. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a gastrointestinal or acid reflux condition, and that the Veteran did not have 50 percent obstruction in either side of his nasal passage.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions, including gout, hypertension, GERD and IBS, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee status post anterior cruciate ligament repair, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right lower extremity surgical scars. The Veteran contends that he should have higher initial ratings for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a sleep medicine physician regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected GERD and/or esophageal cancer. The VA examiner also needs to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal cancer.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and hiatal hernia, are being remanded for further evaluation as the current VA examination is inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral mastectomy scars and GERD due to insufficient evidence in some areas, including missing VA medical records and a need for another etiology opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD due to Gulf War exposure, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or any environmental hazard exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an esophageal condition, including as due to exposure to herbicides and/or Camp Lejeune contaminated water (CLCW), finding that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service or any presumed exposures.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with gastritis was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they were consistent with a 30 percent rating based on moderate impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of her service-connected osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, as well as GERD, are remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is found to have its onset during active duty service, and the Board finds that his current condition is related to service. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, acid reflux, and post-kidney transplant kidney disease. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from finding and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on GERD, right shoulder disability, and seborrheic dermatitis have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by his authorized representative.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including neurological disabilities of the hands, PTSD, gastrointestinal disorders, and heart disabilities were denied. The claim for increased rating for cervical spine disability was also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and related conditions are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection for diabetic retinopathy is also denied as there is no direct or secondary link to the Veteran's diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, GERD, back disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for the appellant's low back disability, granted a 40 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and denied ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and constipation. The decision found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete medical records and the need for an addendum from a VA examiner regarding the psychiatric disorder claim.