GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, right ankle disability, and headache disability. The claims of service connection for chronic cough and acid reflux are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and GERD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,Service connection was also granted for GERD as secondary to coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and inadequate examination regarding secondary service connection for GERD.

The Veteran's achalasia, previously characterized as gastroesophageal disease, is granted an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, GERD, colon disorders, headache disorder, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), eye disorders, low back and neck disorders, erectile dysfunction, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes. The decision also denied reopening of the claim for hypertension.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at the highest available level of 50%.,Heartburn prior to October 31, 2018 is rated at 10%. Constipation with heartburn from October 31, 2018 to present has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is dismissed due to pyramiding.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been granted. The Veteran served in the Southwest Asia theater and has a current diagnosis of IBS.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to lack of an appropriate diagnosis or clear etiology.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness, including due to undiagnosed illness, is remanded as the cause of his symptoms has not been determined.,Service connection for chronic frontal sinusitis is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset and relation to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, specifically GERD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was granted, as new evidence supports the reopening of his previously denied claim.,Service connection for ankle, foot, knee, hip and hand pain (claimed as muscular and movement pains) is granted due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, GERD, and cervical spine disability due to incomplete record development. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not considered in determining secondary service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for left foot plantar fasciitis with plantar spur and PTSD from September 24, 2012 to April 19, 2016 have been granted. The Veteran's ingrown toenails are secondary to service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis with plantar spur. Separate ratings for ulcerative colitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are requested. An initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since April 20, 2016 is also requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, GERD, cholecystectomy, sleep apnea, ulcerative colitis status post colon removal, and migraine headaches due to incomplete evidence. The RO is instructed to obtain additional VA treatment records, identify any outstanding private medical records, and request addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service airsickness and current GERD, nor any evidence of aggravation by his service-connected PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence does not support either theory.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension with heart disease and remanded other issues related to secondary service connection.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and headaches is granted. The claim for GERD remains pending as it was remanded.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for several claims, including service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's right ilioinguinal neuralgia, osteoarthritis, GERD, acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and sleep apnea. The effective dates of any potential awards are also in question.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for tinnitus was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,His right foot condition and left foot condition were denied as not incurred in active service. The tongue tumor, hiatal hernia with acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, benign prostate hypertrophy, and stomach polyps were also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a non-compensable rating. Service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right knee strain, and left knee strain are all granted.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent and the Board found no evidence of a higher rating based on symptoms.,The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was remanded for additional examination due to inadequate previous examinations, as per VA regulations.