GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's prostate condition and acid reflux are not service-connected.,Diabetes is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for duodenitis with GERD was denied. The effective date of the 70% PTSD rating was granted, and TDIU prior to January 22, 2016, was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral spondylolysis of the lumbar spine has been reopened and is granted. However, his claims for hypertension, GERD, depression, osteoarthritis of the left hip, and osteoarthritis of the right hip remain denied.,Service connection was not established for any of the Veteran's conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD with diarrhea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and a supplemental VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection. The GERD claim is denied, while the pes planus and left knee disability claims are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, hip, and foot conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including a right lower extremity disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, gout, left knee disorder, right foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (HTN), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claims or establishing service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right arm, upper back, right knee, sleep, bilateral foot, hearing loss (left ear), tinnitus, hypertension, acid reflux disease, and menstrual disability are all denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or a link to service.,For the specific disabilities: Right Arm Disability, Upper Back Disability, Right Knee Disability, Sleep Disability, and Bilateral Foot Disability, the Veteran does not have a current disability that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The claim for hearing loss (left ear) and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination. The RO will obtain additional treatment records, schedule examinations, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder (to include GERD, acid reflux, ulcers, and benign neoplasms), and erectile dysfunction have not been found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted but the rating assigned is 30 percent.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service. The issues include cervical spine, lumbar spine, throat condition (GERD), sleep apnea, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's dysphagia with GERD has been granted a 30 percent disability rating.,Service connection for an adjustment disorder with depressed mood was denied, and the effective date of service connection is being remanded.

The Veteran's IBS and GERD were rated as noncompensable prior to October 17, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 7319 (IBS) or DC 7346 (GERD). A 10 percent rating was assigned for GERD based on daily heartburn and belching.

The Veteran's claim for GERD with hiatal hernia, dermatitis, and bilateral hand or wrist disorder (claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) has been reopened. The claims are now remanded to the AOJ for further development.,GERD with hiatal hernia, dermatitis, and bilateral hand or wrist disorder (claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) have all been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for a VA examination and consideration of extraschedular evaluation for her service-connected GERD, IBS, and status post-cholecystectomy. The AOJ must also consider an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD rating was reduced from 60% to 10%, effective April 1, 2016. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his GERD or esophageal stricture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service in Vietnam, thus granting service connection for PTSD.