GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and has also remanded for further examination to determine if he had an ulcer during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a sleep disability, right shoulder disability, lumbosacral myositis and lumbar disc degeneration, left knee tendonitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The cases are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) as it is aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection for myopathy, sleep apnea, hypertension, and Barrett’s esophagus to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to untimely notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastroesophageal disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current condition related to service.

The Veteran's GERD, acid reflux, and Barrett’s esophagus are not due to his active service at Camp Lejeune. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's migraines are related to her service-connected PTSD, as well as for an evaluation of her IBS/GERD.

Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's GERD with esophageal stricture and eosinophilic esophagitis was rated at 10 percent. A separate 30 percent rating is now granted for the esophageal stricture.,The Veteran’s chronic lumbosacral strain remains rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and service connection for acid reflux. The Veteran's military personnel records are incomplete and need to be obtained before reaching a decision on the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected lumbosacral strain and GERD. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current disability levels without medication effects, and the AOJ should obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder (MDD). The VA medical opinions provided by a May 2020 examiner concluded that there is no causal link between the Veteran's GERD or sleep apnea and his MDD.

The Board has denied service connection for a sleep disorder and remanded the claim of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to secondary to PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, or any medications prescribed for these conditions. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an ulcer condition (also claimed as GERD), a cardiovascular condition, and a hemorrhoid disability due to insufficient opinions regarding their relationship to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The claims for higher evaluations of GERD, right ear hearing loss, and irritable bowel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability manifesting in kidney stones.,For the period prior to June 4, 2014 and from August 1, 2014, the Veteran’s cervical spine disability is manifested by forward flexion limited to 20 degrees; the evidence does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine disability from August 1, 2014 forward have not been satisfied.,For the period prior to November 21, 2019, the Veteran’s GERD symptoms included pyrosis and reflux; the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating prior to November 21, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter have not been satisfied.,For the period prior to April 7, 2014, the Veteran’s right elbow extensor tendon tear is manifested by flexion limited to 125 degrees; for the period from June 1, 2014, it is manifested by flexion to 95 degrees and pronation to 60 degrees.,The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right elbow extensor tendon tear with limitation of pronation have not been satisfied.,Service connection for the Veteran's right hip disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support assignment of a higher rating, as the disability picture is consistent with no more than the assigned 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, duodenal ulcer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are being remanded due to the failure of VA to properly notify him of scheduled examinations. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and major depression, recurrent, with anxiety features due to a need for further development and re-adjudication.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected acid reflux (stomach problems) throughout the period on appeal, finding that his symptoms have been productive of considerable impairment of health.