GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a left leg disability, prostate condition, tinnitus, bilateral eye disability (glaucoma), skin disability (claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure), GERD, digestive disorder (ulcerative colitis and constipation), right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for GERD, service connection for aphthous ulcers lingual gum area, and service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to clarify his claimed gum disability and shoulder disabilities, as well as records from the SSA.

The Veteran was granted service connection for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, but denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than IBS.,Arthritis of the right shoulder and lumbar spine were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The left humerus fracture is now rated at a maximum of 20 percent, the hiatal hernia/GERD at a maximum of 10 percent, and the right knee disorder and chronic diarrhea are both reopened to be further evaluated.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate previous examinations. The claims for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded because new opinions are needed. Other claims such as joint pain, cough, GERD, headaches, nerve disability, PTSD with depression, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for stomach disorder, colon disorder, acid reflux disorder, and skin disorder due to lack of a VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied, but his claims for sleep apnea and GERD are granted. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for GERD.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and some other conditions are granted service connection, but the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement for his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, GERD, headaches (including migraines), hypertension, TBI residuals, seizures, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right and left shoulder disorders, right and left wrist disorders, elbow bursitis, bilateral hand disorder, knee disorders, eye disorder, sinus disorder with nose bleeds, and face trauma have all been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not met the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, heart condition, sinusitis, and GERD. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for nasal fracture is denied. A 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis is granted. A 30 percent rating for GERD is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and potential service connection. The Appellant's claim will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to joint pain, sleep apnea, sinus/nasal condition, headaches/migraines, and acid reflux are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain and knee conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence shows he is entitled to an award of a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities.

Your claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for review of additional medical evidence.

The Veteran was granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pulmonary fibrosis as secondary to his service-connected non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, effective August 5, 2002.,Both conditions were diagnosed prior to the date of the initial claim for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with a staged increased rating of 10 percent prior to December 26, 2018 and 60 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral hip strain, acquired psychiatric disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erectile dysfunction (ED), and loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, and his GERD. The Veteran needs to provide more information about his service stressors and a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.