GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia were not incurred during service, nor are they related to his service-connected depressive and anxiety disorders. The Board denied the claim for service connection.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was also not incurred during service and is not related to his service-connected depressive and anxiety disorders. The Board denied the secondary service connection claim.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 27, 2016 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, left foot plantar fasciitis and heel spur, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are not rated higher than the current evaluations of 60%, 10%, and 10% respectively.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including back, left knee, right knee, gastrointestinal issues, PTSD, and memory loss/Alzheimer's/dementia. The primary reason was the lack of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including the Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral thigh disability as secondary to his service-connected back disability and for increased ratings of various disabilities. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations and an updated VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and acid reflux. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, seborrheic keratosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection. The initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, effective from March 21, 2014. Bilateral hearing loss, headaches, acid reflux, residual scar, right knee disability, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatica (left lower extremity), and sciatica (right lower extremity) have been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his in-service symptoms and current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for gastrointestinal conditions, including hiatal hernia and GERD. The Veteran's exposure during Gulf War service is considered.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected GERD, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, and vertigo. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for GERD or diabetes mellitus, but the claims of service connection for migraine headaches and vertigo are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for denying a higher disability rating for GERD with a hiatal hernia. The Veteran needs to provide updated medical records and undergo another VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for high cholesterol and an effective date prior to March 8, 2013, for the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's GERD did not begin in service and is not caused or aggravated by his PTSD. The evidence does not support a secondary service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives regarding the assessment of the Veteran's GERD.

The Board has found that additional and relevant medical evidence was received into the record since the December 2018 Statements of the Case. As a result, the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear employment history and need for updated examinations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The AOJ will obtain all relevant records, including VA treatment records and any emergency department visits, and schedule the Veteran for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the October 2019 medical opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition. The examiner needs to clarify how the gastritis during service is distinct from current diagnoses of IBS and GERD.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS and acne have been consistently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of severe impairment or symptoms.,The Veteran's cubital tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities has also been consistently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran requests higher ratings.