GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, pleural scarring in lungs and bacterial lung infection has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of pleural scarring or a relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory condition and his in-service pneumonia.

The Board has found that the VA examinations are incomplete and requires a new examination to obtain adequate etiological opinions for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to procedural issues. The Board will not review the claims until they are certified for appellate review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU is granted as of November 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The psychiatric, gastric, and hernia claims are all being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has continued to work throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The effective dates for the establishment of service connection for pes planus, right-hand tingling and numbness, left-hand tingling and numbness, chronic otitis externa, and GERD have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability, dyslipidemia, gastric disorder (including GERD), and prostate disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's condition is aggravated by medications he takes for his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and gastritis has been withdrawn.,A TDIU rating is granted, effective December 19, 2016.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis, GERD, malaria, and infectious hepatitis are all granted service connection. However, the Veteran's osteoarthritis is denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been denied. The claims of service connection for skin cancer on the face and sarcoma condition on the back have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and hypothyroidism as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The Board restored service connection for GERD and granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to GERD. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, GERD, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also facing a remand for his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's GERD is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastritis, chronic cholecystitis with cholecystectomy, and GERD as they are not related to active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran’s claims of service connection for neck disability, throat disability, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and skin condition can be properly adjudicated. The Veteran's current diagnoses include GERD, skin disorders, and a history of throat irritation. VA will conduct medical examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions and whether they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for TBI, PTSD, and tinnitus. The previously denied claims of service connection for residuals of left knee trauma, asthma, and GERD were reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with right achilles tendonitis is rated at 10 percent disabling, effective February 3, 2009. The Veteran also received a TDIU for the periods from February 3, 2009 through August 2, 2011 and from May 1, 2018 to present.