GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hamstring disorder. The claims for left ankle, sacroiliac, lumbar spine, GERD, and pseudofolliculitis barbae disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has remanded them for further development. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's GERD and lumbar strain (previously classified as DDD, lumbar strain, and Scheuermann’s disease) claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot (pes planus) and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The decision also notes that a new VA examination is required to assess the severity of GERD.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and his rating for IBS is increased to 10 percent. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all the claims for service connection and evaluation as they are related to a deceased Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for GERD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology and potential connection to service, particularly in-service heartburn symptoms and exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, liver condition, digestive system condition (Barrett's esophagus), hepatitis C, and renal condition. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia has been reopened, but the issues of rating for lumbar spine DJD, peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity, and radicular pain in right lower extremity (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) are still pending. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10 percent, and the abdominal scar is rated at zero percent. The Board denied an increased rating for both conditions.,Service connection was denied for an incisional hernia, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound rate was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for eczema, a chronic low back disorder, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The claim for service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to August 31, 2018 or since then. Service connection was also denied for umbilical hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right elbow strain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee, and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for GERD due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were not characterized by persistent recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals of right knee and right shoulder disorders, granted service connection for IBS, and remanded other issues due to lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's GERD was granted an increased rating of 30 percent from July 22, 2013 and 60 percent from January 25, 2018. The appeal for service connection on all other issues is denied.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a right shoulder disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disease, and headaches due to secondary service-connected conditions. The appeals are considered 'mixed' as some issues have been granted while others remain in dispute.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. However, the Veteran's hip condition, high blood pressure (hypertension), anemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and assessing their current severity. The issues are being remanded due to failure to schedule necessary VA examinations.