GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, GERD, and Barrett’s esophagus due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and scar, right knee were denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has GERD and whether it was incurred during service.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and a respiratory disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin in service or were otherwise related to service. The Board also denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and denied effective dates prior to August 28, 2013 for PFB and March 26, 2002 for degenerative joint disease, right knee.,The Veteran's PFB was rated at 10 percent under DC 7800 due to the presence of one characteristic of disfigurement (hyperpigmentation). The Board found that this did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for an Independent Medical Expert (IME) opinion regarding the cause of his claimed residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for migraines is now established, with the onset likely during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether any gastrointestinal or respiratory disorders other than the preexisting residuals of gastroesophageal surgery with calcified granulomatous lymph node have been present since July 2010 and are related to service.

From February 21, 2013 to May 16, 2016, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent.,On and after May 16, 2016, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and needs to be verified. Additionally, a remand is required to obtain VA treatment records from 1982 to 1986 and to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s lymphoma.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IBS/GERD/hiatal hernia prior to September 21, 2015 was denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper respiratory disorder, IBS, and GERD due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers due to a lack of medical examination. The dental condition claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the GERD and ulcer issues.

The Veteran's headaches and GERD have been restored as service-connected disabilities.,The issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for headaches has been remanded. The reduction in the disability rating for GERD from 10 percent to noncompensable effective June 1, 2015, is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) began in service and is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome, granting service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolysis was granted. The claims for GERD, gastritis, and restless leg syndrome are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to multiple disabilities, including spinal stenosis, GERD, depression, tinea pedis, hepatitis, hypertension, tinnitus, herpes simplex, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine surgery, and falls. The case is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, headaches, bilateral pes planus, right ear hearing loss, respiratory disorder, and bilateral hand disorder have been denied.,New evidence received since the last denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease was granted service connection as it had its onset during active duty and he has experienced continuous symptoms since separation. The other issues were remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of GERD is denied. The appeal regarding the initial disability rating for GERD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, hepatitis C, and GERD due to potential exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The VA is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, request SSA disability benefits records, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination in each of these cases.