GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of June 23, 2011 for the award of service connection for tinnitus. The issues of GERD, left thigh and foot disabilities, IBS, and ED are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disorder and GERD, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 12, 2018. The issue of service connection for GERD secondary to the lumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of duodenal ulcer, GERD, and pneumonic lung scarring as the appellant withdrew his claims through his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder (including GERD), and headache disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the RO did not grant a compensable rating for migraines, despite the Veteran experiencing frequent and severe headaches. The highest schedular rating available (50%) was assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his respiratory and gastrointestinal disabilities, specifically whether they are related to exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia during his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's ratings for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome involving C5-6, left and right upper extremities were reduced. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of actual improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he has been rendered unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also withdrew his increased rating for PTSD, and the Board does not have jurisdiction over the sleep apnea issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, claimed as hiatal hernia, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and a new opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not proximately due to and/or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease with bypass graft.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and sleep apnea have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been denied as there is no competent evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during a period of honorable service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for abdominal aortic aneurysm, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and epilepsy have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his military service or within the applicable presumptive period due to herbicide exposure. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development on issues of service connection and initial ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's GERD is denied as not being related to his service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been granted. The claim for an esophageal condition, to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and eosinophilic esophagitis, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, adenocarcinoma of the palate, tongue and salivary gland, digestive system deficiency to include GERD and requirement for nasogastric tube, and hypothyroidism have all been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a separate compensable rating for adenocarcinoma beyond April 1, 2004, as there was no recurrence or metastasis of the cancer. An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for digestive system deficiency has been granted, but the Veteran's hypothyroidism remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, as well as further development of her Vocational Rehabilitation and medical treatment records.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied, and the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GIST, and GERD are all denied. The claim to reopen service connection for a left elbow and bilateral hand disorder was granted due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for calcifications of the brain, large duodenum ulcer/peptic ulcer, swallowing disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to service connection. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated again as they may be related to his military service.