GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus and associated hiatal hernia is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his esophageal cancer and in-service exposure to herbicide agents or ionizing radiation. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service treatment records show multiple gastrointestinal issues, but no diagnosis or treatment for GERD during service. The VA examiner found a negative nexus between current GERD and service, citing alcohol abuse as a potential cause.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is now rated at 60% effective from April 4, 2018.,There is no change in rating for the post-operative residuals of a right knee injury with degenerative changes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and insomnia due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including stomach problems, distal esophagitis, hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), had its onset during service or is related to exposure to contaminated groundwater at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran was provided an opportunity for a VA examination but did not receive one.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's gastritis, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent effective July 16, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied as the condition is not related to her military service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates of May 21, 2018. The RO also assigned a disability rating of 40 percent for mechanical low back pain with lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, sleep disorder, GERD, and gastrointestinal condition other than GERD due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's medical history must be considered, and new opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and other issues.

The Veteran's appeals for left knee condition and right knee condition have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of cervical spine with radiculopathy, lumbar spine condition, respiratory condition, glaucoma (claimed as secondary to respiratory condition), stomach ulcer, and GERD.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and IBS is granted a higher initial rating of 60 percent. The ratings for low back strain, asthma, right shoulder tendonitis, and left shoulder tendonitis are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his sleep apnea as secondary to GERD, IVDS, radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a head injury, stomach condition, and TDIU prior to March 21, 2017 due to insufficient examination reports addressing the Veteran's contentions of in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,For her left knee, the Veteran has been assigned a 10 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Board has found that there was no substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding joint conditions and vertigo.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted. Service connection is also granted.,Service connection is granted for right wrist tendonitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but these claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for GERD.