GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD effective October 28, 2010 was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hiatal hernia, and a skin disability due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The AOJ is instructed to request an opinion from an appropriate specialist regarding the etiology of these conditions, including as related to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for GERD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosed gastrointestinal disability manifested by chronic diarrhea, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent for duodenal ulcer with GERD and hoarseness.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for new nexus opinions. The Veteran's hearing loss is not compensable, but his other conditions remain under review.

Service connection is granted for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue, including metastasis to the neck and associated treatment.,Service connection is also granted for loss of sense of taste due to SCC of the base of the tongue.,Residual scars related to head/neck cancer treatment are service-connected.,Numbness of the face, neck, and chest is service-connected.,Weakness and limitation of motion of the left shoulder, including adhesive capsulitis, is service-connected.,Anemia associated with chronic fatigue is service-connected.,Left ventricular hypertrophy is service-connected.,Hepatic steatosis / ‘fatty liver’ is service-connected.,GERD is service-connected.,Sleep apnea is service-connected.,A gastrointestinal disorder manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation is service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and exposure information. The Board will schedule medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for esophageal stricture and IBS with GERD and duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD and duodenal ulcer are currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 7399-7346, with a separate 10 percent rating for GERD and duodenal ulcer under Diagnostic Code 7305.,The Veteran is granted a separate initial 10 percent rating for his service-connected GERD and duodenal ulcer.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied, but service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. Service connection is also granted for GERD, CAD, and ED secondary to DM II.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ankle disability, left ankle scar, left knee disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, sinus arrhythmia, costochondritis, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and esophagitis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for stomach disorders, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)/Hiatal Hernia, both claimed as secondary to service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The case is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a spine disability. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus, GERD, and pneumonia. The skin cancer claim is remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for sleep apnea, gastrointestinal condition with constipation, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and skin cancer was granted. A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peripheral neuropathy due to environmental contaminants in the Gulf War. The appeal is being returned to the RO for consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD, erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, and special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ. Tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed conditions, including osteoporosis, GERD, basal cell carcinoma, and hyperthyroidism, due to Agent Orange exposure. The VA examinations were inadequate as they did not address whether these conditions are related to his active duty service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for GERD, with hiatal hernia, esophageal motility disorder and cyclical vomiting syndrome on an extraschedular basis as of May 14, 2017, but not earlier.