GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's authorized representative requesting withdrawal of all issues.

The Veteran's asthma was granted an increased rating to 30 percent, but no higher. Service connection for OSA and GERD were denied. The issue of service connection for fibromyalgia is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, resolving doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's digestive disorder, claimed as GERD or acid reflux, did not originate in service and is unrelated to any injury or disease during his active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right eye disabilities, GERD, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, neurological impairment (including peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy), and hypertension due to incomplete development of records from McDonald Army Hospital. The VA examinations provided insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for GERD, right knee contusion with clinical lateral meniscus tear, and lumbar spondylosis and lumbar muscle spasm. The Veteran's joint complaints are related to his bilateral hands, knees, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diverticulosis with colon polyps. The primary issue remaining is service connection for GERD and other gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left heel pain, and left hand numbness. The Veteran's hypertension is also denied a compensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral pterygium status post removal with trace corneal opacities remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his left ankle disability, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain from March 3, 2014. Service connection for chronic gastritis and GERD were not established.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD was aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's GERD and ulcerative colitis are granted as service-connected due to the combat presumption.

Your claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and tension headaches have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as the benefits sought are no longer in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding whether GERD is secondary to service-connected PTSD or medications for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of GERD and sleep apnea for additional development, as well as the right ankle disability rating issue. The Veteran's attorney submitted articles suggesting that GERD may be related to mental health conditions and stressful life events, while another article indicated that sleep disordered breathing was common with TBI.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, chronic fatigue, and headaches due to Gulf War Syndrome are granted.,The Board found that the Veteran has objective indications of these conditions as qualifying chronic disabilities due to undiagnosed illness or MUCMI.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's GERD, effective April 5, 2018. The rating is based on symptoms that are analogous to those associated with severe irritable colon syndrome (ICS).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of GERD, knee disabilities, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after rescheduling the missed examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroesophageal disease and bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of VA examinations. The case will be returned for further development.