GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his active service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident and/or firearm injury. His liver cyst is also being remanded for a medical opinion on its relationship to his active service.,The Veteran's TDIU rating claim is being remanded as final adjudication of the cervical spine disability and liver cyst claims could affect his employability status.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. Service connection for left foot condition and pseudofolliculitis barbae are denied.

The Veteran's GERD is not rated higher than 10 percent due to the lack of symptoms such as dysphagia, pyrosis, and substernal pain that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and GERD with sliding hiatal hernia were not rated higher than the current disability ratings due to lack of evidence supporting more severe manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for increased diabetes mellitus rating, service connection for GERD, and service connection for a circulatory or vascular disability are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective April 28, 2016. The Veteran's GERD is granted a 10 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for migraine headaches and GERD have been granted. The Veteran is now assigned a 30 percent evaluation for migraine headaches prior to June 1, 2015, and a 10 percent evaluation for GERD since February 21, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD and asthma due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again with new VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal spams, and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding of these conditions during or immediately after service.,There is no medical opinion linking any of these conditions to service, including presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's initial 60 percent rating for Meniere's disease is granted effective prior to December 19, 2019.,An initial 30 percent rating for GERD is granted effective December 19, 2019. The Veteran’s service-connected left knee strain receives an initial 20 percent rating effective the same date. An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and inguinal hernia status-post surgical repair are denied.,The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease is manifested by hearing impairment with vertigo more than once weekly, warranting a 60 percent rating prior to December 19, 2019. GERD symptoms include persistently recurrent epigastric distress, reflux, regurgitation, substernal pain, and nausea, leading to a 30 percent rating effective December 19, 2019.,Left knee strain is manifested by frequent episodes of joint locking and joint pain, resulting in a 20 percent rating effective December 19, 2019. Allergic rhinitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as it does not result in greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides.,The Veteran's inguinal hernia is not manifested by any compensable disability.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as it is proximately due to the Veteran's use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prescribed for her service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they did not meet the criteria for an increased rating and found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for mood disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bladder disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's service-connected low back, ankle, and foot disabilities are found to have proximately caused these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral cataracts and GERD. The case is being remanded to obtain additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that an addendum medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed abdominal/gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD and ventral hernia/peritoneal adhesions. The remand also includes a request for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on both schedular and extra-schedular grounds.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating from January 28, 2014 to June 1, 2016. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Gastroesophageal Disease (GERD).

Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), varicose veins, left leg, and skin cancer, to include on the right forearm, is granted. Service connection for diverticulitis is denied.,The Veteran's service treatment records show multiple instances of gastrointestinal complaints, including a diagnosis of diverticulosis with history of diverticulitis in 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, vision condition (claimed as degraded vision), GERD, and dental condition (lost tooth) due to additional development being needed. The issues are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and will need additional opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, their relationship to service, and whether they are related to medications taken for other service-connected conditions.