GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for left wrist disability, but has remanded several other claims due to new evidence and incomplete records.

The Veteran's impairment of rectal sphincter control is found to be proximately due to his service-connected IBS and GERD, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for TDIU prior to March 13, 2017 was granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed, and the claim for a compensable rating for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The VA will review these claims again after obtaining updated treatment records and conducting further evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with gastritis, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and etiological opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for GERD, low back condition, right hip condition, bilateral foot condition, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date of the grants of service connection is also being considered.

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett’s esophagus is granted as service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's cardiovascular or blood disorder categorized as cold agglutinin disorder is granted as service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability ratings for GERD with IBS is being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion as previous opinions did not address symptoms in relation to different Diagnostic Codes (DCs) throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating from October 5, 2004 to April 18, 2005 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from April 18, 2005 to January 26, 2017 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of exposure to hazardous environmental factors during service in Southwest Asia, including pyridostigmine bromide and exposure to chemical weapons/nerve gas. The VA examiner found that all claimed disabilities are not related to these exposures.

Service connection for a left shoulder disability, left arm disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and abdominal disability is denied as not related to service.,Service connection for GERD is denied as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and the need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, numbness of the left arm and hand (carpal tunnel syndrome), numbness of the right arm and hand, condition of the left knee, condition of the right knee, back pain, and acid reflux. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative disease of the right hip, left hip, and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA records from the Veteran's active duty period and subsequent treatment. The claims will be reviewed again with these additional records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to be reopened and granted. The claims for service connection of various conditions are denied, except for a 10% disability rating for hiatal hernia with GERD effective June 3, 2013. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition has been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current disability. The Veteran is also granted a 30 percent rating for GERD/hernia hiatal.,A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine condition is related to service, including any chronic neck pain reported in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia, as the evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.