GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's broken teeth or loss of teeth claim is granted, but service connection is denied. Hearing loss and tinnitus claims are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is dismissed as he withdrew his claim prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The claim to reopen the low back disability was denied because no new and material evidence was presented, and the Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Tinnitus is granted as service connection is established due to acoustic trauma during active service.,GERD is granted as service connection is established based on symptoms in-service and continuity of symptoms since service.,Left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,Rash on the hands and arms is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,Headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether GERD was caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions, including diabetes and neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for throat disability, organic brain syndrome, bleeding gums, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) as there was no evidence of a chronic disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that GERD began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for dizzy spells, nausea, and memory loss claimed as residuals to a traumatic brain injury; a right knee condition; anemia; and a stomach disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome) due to receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Board has dismissed these matters.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine, right total knee replacement, left total hip replacement, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, PTSD, and TDIU are all granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to be sufficiently severe to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent since August 17, 2015.,Service connection for IBS is granted as the condition is presumptively related to service in the Gulf War theater.,Service connection for bilateral chronic plantar fasciitis is granted based on a current diagnosis and evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches remains pending due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted TDIU effective March 29, 2017.,An earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating for reactive airway disease and/or asthma prior to April 6, 2012 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Hepatitis C has been withdrawn.,The claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for iliac nerve damage caused by VA surgical treatment in December 2008 is denied as the evidence does not show that the additional disability was proximately caused by negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's somatic disorder, allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum, asthma (with OSA), GERD, and right wrist disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving a noncompensable evaluation for his allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum, 10 percent evaluation for his asthma (prior to October 5, 2017) and 50 percent evaluation for his OSA with asthma from October 5, 2017. A 10 percent evaluation has been granted for his GERD, while a 10 percent evaluation is denied for his right wrist disability.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with GERD and gastritis is rated at 40 percent, effective December 24, 2002. The Board found that the disability picture warranted elevation to a 40 percent rating under DC 7305.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disorder, Crohn's disease, GERD, thyroid cancer, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been denied. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted (right and left knee disabilities) while others remain denied.,New evidence was submitted but did not provide a basis to reopen the claims for service connection for sleep disorder, Crohn's disease, GERD, and thyroid cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of increased rating for GERD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, eye disorder (presumably vision impairment), ear disorder (hearing loss and possibly other auditory issues), respiratory disorder, and digestive disorder. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, while his GERD and erectile dysfunction claims are denied. The Board also remanded several other issues for further development.

An initial evaluation of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted, effective December 26, 2010.,An initial evaluation of 70 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted, effective November 5, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including neck disability, GERD, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims were remanded for further action on some issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, and his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating for PTSD, but concluded he is unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's stroke residuals are remanded for further evaluation.