GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, shortness of breath (undiagnosed illness), stomach condition (acid reflux/GERD), sleep apnea, varicose veins, and migraines/headaches are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the remaining issues on appeal, including a respiratory disability, dizziness and vertigo, and GERD. The Veteran's claims are remanded to obtain further medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of January 22, 2008. The effective date for the award of Total Disability Evaluation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is set at January 22, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, PTSD with MDD, and TDIU due to unresolved issues. Service connection for GERD is denied as there is no evidence of onset during service or a nexus to service. The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent but the Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of sleep apnea, acid reflux, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction for further development to determine if they are secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for several conditions, and the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability, bilateral elbow injury residuals, right wrist and hand injury residuals, head injury residuals, and hearing loss in the right ear due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient evidence of a relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the initial compensable evaluation for chronic constipation is remanded due to unclear current severity of the condition. A new examination is needed to determine the extent of his service-connected chronic constipation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis has been remanded by the Board.,Service connection for OSA and GERD with Barrett’s esophagus have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The right ankle, bilateral knee, GERD, hypertension, sinus condition, and loss of sense of smell issues are all under review.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders and his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide or Agent Orange.

The Veteran is found eligible for a TDIU beginning October 1, 2009. The Board also remanded the cases for further examination and consideration of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or loss of use.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is still remanded as there are issues regarding the etiology of GERD and its relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's current sarcoidosis or GERD are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's GI disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability. Additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner, is required.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an updated VA examination and consideration of extraschedular considerations. The Veteran's IBS with GERD condition is still rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to incomplete readings of the records by the examiners.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, knee, shoulder, and GERD disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left and right leg shin splints, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus prior to February 15, 2017 are being remanded due to the addition of new VA records since the July 2017 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's service connection for chronic kidney disease, resection of small intestine due to radiation enteritis, and related conditions is granted based on exposure to Agent Orange during active duty.