GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for several issues, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. The appeals are being placed in RAMP (Rapid Appeals Modernization Program) due to receipt of a valid Opt-In notice.

The Veteran's service-connected laryngitis is denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, bilateral tinnitus, right shoulder labrum tear, left wrist ganglion cyst, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tension headaches have been denied.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions, but the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating or a higher initial disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need for a complete record, including SSA disability records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to his military service, specifically his in-service report of vomiting in April 1970. The Veteran contends that his GERD is related to his PTSD and smoking habits.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to August 18, 2011 for the grant of service connection for GERD with insomnia is denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C remains pending and will be remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for lumbar arthralgia with lumbar spondylosis, right shoulder arthralgia, left shoulder arthralgia, left leg pain, and right leg pain are all pending and will be remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension (high blood pressure) remains pending and will be remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for dizziness, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) remain pending and will be remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), claimed as a respiratory condition, remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI residuals and a compensable rating for GERD from November 1, 2014 due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as she does not have a current disability.,The Veteran’s breast cancer with lumpectomy, including as due to exposure to hazardous materials, and her psychiatric disorder including PTSD (due to military sexual trauma and/or as secondary to breast cancer) claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's GERD claim is remanded in conjunction with the breast cancer claim.,The Veteran’s left knee, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left upper extremity condition (secondary to cervical spine condition), and right upper extremity condition (secondary to cervical spine condition) claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's left lower extremity and right lower extremity conditions are also remanded in conjunction with the breast cancer claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left knee condition, right knee condition, GERD, spot on the lung, tinnitus, vision condition, hiatal hernia, hypothyroidism, gout or high blood pressure and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.,The Board also found no evidence that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims of service connection for asthma due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, arthritis, and gastric condition (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for non-epileptic seizure associated with residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), residuals of TBI, tension headaches, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depressive disorder not otherwise specified and alcohol abuse, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private and VA treatment records from his primary care provider and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability during or after service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's hypertension, GERD, ED, insomnia, and depression are related to his military service.,The Veteran did not have any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis for these conditions in service. There is also no evidence linking them to his active duty.

The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including a change in disability ratings that may affect SMC eligibility.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is also granted, but the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability recognized as a VA disability. The initial ratings for left third digit crush injury with residual flexion loss (left third finger disability), gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia (GERD), and carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, cervical degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Prior to July 18, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD was rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Board has denied service connection for a right plantaris tendon rupture due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim. The claims for initial compensable ratings and rating in excess of 10 percent for various conditions are remanded as new examinations are needed.

The Veteran's GERD with a hiatal hernia is rated at 30% disabling, effective October 15, 2015. The symptoms include persistent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by shoulder pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete Service Treatment Records (STRs). The AOJ must attempt to obtain and review all available STRs, including those from June 2015.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for acid reflux due to new and material evidence. However, the Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it related to a service-connected disability.