GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's asthma, IBS, and acid reflux disabilities are granted as service-connected.,A rating of 30% for tension headaches is granted effective September 1, 2011 through March 21, 2017. A rating of 50% for tension headaches is granted effective March 22, 2017 and thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The TBI, PTSD with depressive disorder/alcohol abuse, non-epileptic seizure disorder, GERD, CFS, and low back disorder are all rated at their maximum levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise causally related to service, including his reported symptoms during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran’s GERD is linked to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a stomach condition due to inadequate examination and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. Service connection has been granted for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent effective April 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and the need for further examination regarding the service connection of gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, as secondary to major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, including as due to a Gulf War illness, is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic joint pain and gastrointestinal disorder (including diarrhea) are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The issues of service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and vascular kidney disease are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations or evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran needs VA examinations for sinus issues, prostate issues, sleep apnea, acid reflux condition, acquired psychiatric disability (depression and/or anxiety), and gout.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be at least as likely as not related to his GERD, and a rating of 30 percent for IBS with GERD is granted. The issue of an increased rating for IBS remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded several other issues including ear hearing loss, neck, upper back, lower back, bilateral knee, ankle arthritis, foot/toe disabilities, vertigo, Meniere's syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his current disability is related to military service.,Service connection for prostate disorder, including BPH and hypothyroidism were also denied as there was no indication they had their onset during or are otherwise related to service.

Service connection for gastritis/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. The cases of thyroid cancer and associated conditions are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's GERD with diverticulitis is granted an initial 30 percent disability rating. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, neck disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, kidney disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and additional development is needed. The Veteran's service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including hiatal hernia, over-sized stomach, and GERD, will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's rating for GERD was reduced from 60 percent to 10 percent effective September 1, 2015. The Board has restored the prior rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he submitted fraudulent documents in the pursuit of VA compensation benefits.,The Board found that the Veteran knowingly provided numerous fraudulent documents, including those printed on an inkjet printer not available until 1976 and predated that time.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. Service connection for hypertension will also be considered based on conceded herbicide exposure.