GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the lack of a sufficient rationale in the October 2016 VA examination regarding potential noise exposure during his military service as a communications specialist.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to the absence of an opinion addressing herbicide agent exposure and situational stress or anxiety exacerbating his GERD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety, is remanded as there is insufficient evidence linking it to military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 60 percent for resection of large bowel, small bowel obstruction and lysis of adhesions with gastroparesis, GERD, and IBS (also claimed shortened small bowel) has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted, but the specific details of the grants are not provided in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a grant of financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as they do not result in loss or use of hands or feet.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, sinus disability, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a dog bite with left ulnar neuropathy, including NSAIDs use. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia, finding that the most probative evidence established that the appellant does not currently have a separate and distinct disability characterized by insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for GERD is denied as the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for right shoulder disability is denied as the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD), and GERD have been granted service connection. The rating for GERD has been increased to 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases of hepatitis C, acid reflux, and chest pain for further development. The Veteran's hepatitis C is related to in-service exposure to shared razors and combat-related injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for acid reflux, right ankle disability, and gastrointestinal condition have been dismissed. A 70 percent rating has been granted for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for further examination and evaluation due to incomplete testing in previous examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The issue of service connection for anemia is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of asthma, cholangiocarcinoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, anxiety disorder, and TMJ for further development. The cause of death claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected gastric ulcer disease with GERD, gastroenteritis, celiac disease and IBS has been granted. The decision also grants the Veteran a 100 percent rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for migraines, acid reflux, lung condition (claimed as lung scarring), joint pain, and tooth deterioration for compensation purposes have all been denied.,There is insufficient evidence to support the Veteran’s claims of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Achilles heel spur of the left foot, cardiovascular disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and residuals of hernia surgery are all denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for cervical spine, right hip, and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hypertension, high cholesterol, GERD, headaches, LLE peripheral neuropathy, and RLE peripheral neuropathy are denied as there is no competent indication of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the effective date for the current ratings remains April 26, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of cholecystectomy, to include GERD, was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at a noncompensable rating for his service-connected GERD.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at a noncompensable rating for his service-connected hemorrhoids.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with anxiety prior to July 25, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter was denied.