GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, and GERD to include as secondary to IBS and PTSD due to worsening symptoms since the last examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's initial and higher ratings for CAD are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his condition from July 6, 2011 to August 20, 2013.,The Veteran's rating for CAD from August 20, 2013 to January 5, 2020 is remanded as the Board did not explain why an interview-based METs test was used instead of a diagnostic exercise test in his VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his condition is related to his military service or secondary to his PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability (presumptive due to Agent Orange exposure) is remanded as the VA examiner did not address whether it was caused by his diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's TDIU prior to January 24, 2014 is raised and remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for sleep apnea, PTSD including depression, and GERD have been denied. The Veteran was not granted any increase in ratings during the period of appeal.,For the period prior to April 3, 2015, the Veteran’s sleep apnea did not require a breathing assistance device such as CPAP, thus preventing him from receiving a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms since separation from service are also considered.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims due to errors in prior determinations and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition is denied. The initial rating for GERD from October 25, 2016 to October 9, 2019 was granted at 10 percent and increased to 30 percent starting October 10, 2019. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and cannabis abuse is not rated in excess of 70 percent. The rating for asthma remains unchanged. The left knee scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not considering the severity of GERD without medication. The Veteran needs to provide medical records and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities. The claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants are also remanded.

The Veteran's current gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and chronic sinusitis are dismissed as the AOJ has not issued a final rating decision regarding these issues.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and an auditory condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The VA is required to provide a new examination to address the Veteran’s contentions regarding his claimed conditions.

The claim for service connection for GERD is denied as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to active duty. The Veteran's current GERD is not secondary to or aggravated by his use of NSAIDs for his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.,The claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's current headaches are not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected mental disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and diverticulum of esophagus due to insufficient evidence on the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his current disabilities. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination to determine if his GERD is related to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, esophageal diverticulum, or exposure to airborne pollutants during his Naval Service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, but the other issues related to back disability, left leg disability, hypertension, and GERD are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and chronic stomach disorder (GERD) as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, GERD, and ED due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. Additional development is needed including obtaining relevant medical records and providing the record to a clinician with appropriate experience.

An effective date of September 30, 2009 is granted for the assignment of total rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment since at least September 2009.

The Veteran withdrew all of his claims, including those related to service connection for various disabilities and initial ratings.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for scar tissue of the breast, anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and nerve pain are being remanded for further development.