GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has found that further development of the record is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for IBS, GERD, and a chronic headache disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional evaluations.

The Veteran's right knee strain, upper digestive disability (GERD and chronic indigestion), and lower digestive disability (IBS and chronic diarrhea) have been granted service connection.,New evidence has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his daily functioning. The Veteran needs an addendum opinion from a physician to determine if he is substantially confined or requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and acid reflux. The issues of increased rating for PTSD prior to June 11, 2020, and in excess of 70 percent after June 11, 2020, are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD with esophagitis is granted an increased rating of 30 percent, effective January 7, 2013. The symptoms include persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30 percent rating for GERD from March 1, 2016 was granted. The issue of an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and gastrointestinal disability due to incomplete VA examination reports and the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for various service-connected disabilities, including eczematoid dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right patellofemoral pain syndrome with shin splints and anterior compartment syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with shin splints and anterior compartment syndrome, left hip disability, diabetes mellitus type II, hypogonadism, esophageal stricture with esophageal polyp and Schatzki's ring, and ventral hernia status post-surgery with rectus diastasis.

The Veteran's GERD and fecal incontinence are currently rated at 30 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions as there was no evidence of symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's initial rating for GERD has been granted at a 10 percent level, but the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hand dermatitis, bilateral feet tinea pedis and right first toe paronychia is remanded due to incomplete VA medical records.

The Veteran's GERD with fatty liver hepatomegaly is remanded for further evaluation, and the TDIU claim remains inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and inflammatory arthritis, finding that additional development is needed. The issues are related to secondary service connection due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and ankle conditions.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), joint pain, headaches, a skin disability, and GERD. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his time in service or due to exposure to toxic substances.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,PTSD remains rated at 50 percent, but an increased rating to a higher percentage is denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from September 1, 2003 until December 16, 2014 due to his service-connected lumbar spine spondylosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 7, 2020, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's joint and muscle pain is not service-connected.,IBS and peptic ulcer disease with acute gastritis are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, hepatitis C, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and erectile dysfunction due to potential new evidence or clarification of service connection.