GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's combined rating has been at least 80% since August 2010 and at 90% since June 21, 2012. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 21, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to concerns about the adequacy of previous VA medical opinions and the need for a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal for his claims, and thus the August 2016 rating decision is final.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, is proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD treatment. The issues of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and a TDIU rating prior to April 30, 2003 are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip disabilities, gastrointestinal disorders (diverticulitis and ulcers), and gastroesophageal disorders (GERD and hiatal hernia) as they are not shown to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of GERD is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal disability, primarily Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with the current 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her service-connected conditions did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the VA examination did not adequately address the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, and thus the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer and related conditions are rated at 30 percent since November 21, 2013. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and determination of TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and numbness of fingertips (neurological symptoms). The claim for GERD is remanded due to a lack of recent treatment records. Headaches are also remanded, as the Veteran was referred to outside neurology. Joint pain is remanded because the examiner did not establish a link between current joint pain and service.,The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and numbness of fingertips (neurological symptoms). The claim for GERD is remanded due to a lack of recent treatment records. Headaches are also remanded, as the Veteran was referred to outside neurology. Joint pain is remanded because the examiner did not establish a link between current joint pain and service.

The Veteran was found to be unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, which prevented him from performing the physical demands of his job as a corrections officer. The TDIU is granted for the period from November 8, 2011 to May 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed conditions, which include gastrointestinal issues and varicose veins. The examinations will also assess whether any of these conditions are related to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, heart disorder, hypertension, and GERD due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms of recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and irritable bowel syndrome with GERD and hiatal hernia are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. The claims for hiatal hernia, GERD, and IBS are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for GERD due to further development being needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, TB with residuals, and GERD due to conflicting opinions from VA audiologists, a negative opinion on part of the January 2020 VA examiner regarding TB, and an inadequate nexus opinion on part of the October 2019 VA examiner regarding GERD.

The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease and related conditions are being remanded for further evaluation, including a review of all relevant medical records and consideration of the effects of medication. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its interdependence with other issues.