GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to include irritable bowel syndrome and chychonycosis right great toe, due to incomplete medical records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD was denied.,Service connection for hypothyroidism, colon polyps, and adrenal disability due to exposure to ionizing radiation is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of parking fees and monthly subsistence allowance, as well as his request for VR&E services including independent living services, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran has been provided with a thorough vocational rehabilitation evaluation that includes assessments of his current limitations caused by service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform in both his current occupational field and desired career changes.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has found that an increased rating beyond this level is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure over 110 or systolic pressure over 200 during the period on appeal.,For GERD, the Veteran was provided with a VA examination in November 2013. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed as the Veteran reported additional symptoms since then.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete STRs and personnel records, as well as inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending claims.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 10, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent from February 10, 2020 for a low back disability.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to February 10, 2020 for GERD.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the period from February 10, 2020 for IBS and GERD.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a compensable disability rating prior to February 10, 2020, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from February 10, 2020 for a left ankle disability.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding a compensable disability rating prior to February 10, 2020, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from February 10, 2020 for a left wrist ganglion.,The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for right shoulder disability based on new and material evidence has been dismissed.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and adjustment disorder.,The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was 90 percent prior to September 14, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran had already met the criteria for a TDIU since September 14, 2010 when his Combined Rating reached 100 percent.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating prior to October 3, 2018 and a rating in excess of 20 percent therefrom for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, tumor of the ear/brain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's GERD symptoms during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in her gastrointestinal disability claim. The case will be returned for further development, including a new examination by a VA gastroenterologist.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected GERD, effective from August 18, 2019.

The Veteran's heart disability and seizure disorder are granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection for hepatitis C is denied.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms have met the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating. The issue of an initial compensable disability evaluation for his ingrown toenail and foot condition is remanded due to lack of medical opinion regarding systemic effects of topical treatments.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a gastrointestinal condition is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of increased ratings for PTSD prior to and since December 18, 2018.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral pes planus and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) for additional VA examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is currently rated as noncompensably disabling prior to September 20, 2019, and 10 percent thereafter. The Board found no basis for a higher rating.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of current evidence.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and expressive dyslexia, finding no evidence of a chronic disability or etiology related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for GERD and service connection for respiratory disability (shortness of breath) was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his GERD, as his symptoms were minimal, and there was no evidence linking his respiratory disability to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of consideration of certain exposure factors. The issues include asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, skin disability, and GERD as well as his request for an increased rating for anxiety disorder. The decision is based on the evidence of record without requiring additional examinations.