GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of club foot, with left foot pes planus, right foot acquired pes cavus, and bilateral degenerative arthritis is granted. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, atypical depression NOS, GERD, menstrual disorder, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, bilateral hip disorder, and anemia have been granted. The claims were reopened due to new evidence related to a previously denied claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have worsened, with the Veteran experiencing recurrent incapacitating episodes. The Board finds that an updated VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica) is granted as service connected. The claims for mitral valve prolapse, positional orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), residuals of a stroke, and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim was reopened and remanded due to new evidence indicating GERD.,Service connection for GERD is granted but the case is remanded as the VA examination did not address the etiology of the condition in relation to service.

The Board previously denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD. The Court remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the condition. The case is being sent back for an additional examination and medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and GERD, but granted service connection for a heart disability. The decision did not address the claim of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, increased evaluations, and initial compensable evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.

Service connection is denied for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Respiratory Disorder with Chronic Cough, Hypertension, and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder. The remaining issues are REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep disorder, service connection for sleep apnea, initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The RO must consider all submitted evidence before making a decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during active service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to service or proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The issues of acid reflux, alopecia, diverticulitis, migraines, athlete’s foot of the right foot, athlete’s foot of the left foot, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, hemorrhoids, right foot heel spur, left foot heel spur, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenal ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for cardiomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and deviated septum were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these issues.,Tinnitus was granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure and current symptomatology.,An acquired psychiatric disability (depression) was granted service connection due to in-service experiences and post-deployment health re-assessment reports.,Allergic rhinitis was granted service connection based on in-service symptoms and current diagnosis.,Hypertension was granted service connection as it began during active duty, with evidence of elevated blood pressure readings.,Varicocele was granted service connection due to a left varicocele noted at separation and subsequent CT scan showing the condition.,A skin disability (eczema and cellulitis) was granted service connection based on in-service rashes and current diagnosis.,Gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia and diverticulosis) was granted service connection due to symptoms beginning during active duty.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve was granted service connection effective December 24, 2014.,A scar of the right leg was also granted service connection effective December 24, 2014. The rating for this condition is currently at 10%.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder received a 10% disability rating effective December 24, 2013.,GERD and IBS were granted service connection effective December 24, 2014. The Veteran is currently rated at 30% for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims are remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, low back, GERD, and headaches. The effective dates for the grants of service connection will be determined based on when a request to reopen was received.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination and the need for a new one regarding the etiology of GERD.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's adenocarcinoma, including distal esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, and proximal stomach, was related to his presumed Agent Orange exposure. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's acid reflux disability is rated at 30 percent, effective May 2, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and GERD was denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of his esophageal conditions, including whether they are related to service-connected PTSD.