GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's chronic lower back condition and sinusitis are granted service connection. The Veteran's joint pain of the bilateral hands and elbows, as well as his GERD, are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for pseudophakia status post bilateral cataract surgery was denied.,Issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder and entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD were remanded by the Board.

The Board has identified new evidence that was submitted after the May 2018 Statement of the Case. The Veteran has not waived AOJ review of this additional evidence, so a Supplemental Statement of the Case must be issued to consider all evidence received.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee DJD and shin splints was denied. A separate 10% rating was granted for right knee instability, and a 30% evaluation was granted for GERD with IBS.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s migraines meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation due to their very frequent and prolonged attacks.,For cervical spine strain with mild spondylotic changes, the Veteran's condition is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examination indicated that the Veteran does not have forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees or combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees, which are required for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis and GERD, and found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected C-section scar due to potential worsening of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's efforts to obtain employment following service. The Veteran is required to provide details about his employment attempts, any vocational rehabilitation or education benefits used, and any records related to these matters.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right ankle disability, neck and right arm numbness disability, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are granted. The appeal is denied on the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for chronic body pain is dismissed.,The applications to reopen claims for service connection for lupus, a lung disorder, and hypertension are denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hiccups as secondary to his service-connected GERD due to conflicting evidence and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 10 percent for her right knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 9, 2017 for the award of a 60 percent disability rating for GERD is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he continued to work full-time or receive leave benefits.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher, for sinusitis and remanded the issues of service connection for aphthous ulcer and GERD.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of current bilateral hearing loss disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis with headaches is granted. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hiatal hernia with GERD, bilateral shin splints, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, hemorrhoids, right wrist sprain, left wrist sprain, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral pes planus were granted effective July 1, 2016. Claims for other conditions are denied as they were not received within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to missing procedural documents, lack of contemporaneous examination, and the need to locate service medical records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for blindness, glaucoma, hypertension, TBI, rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, left elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, numbness and stiffness in the right toes, numbness, pain, and tingling in the left leg, joint pain and swelling in the jaw, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral pes planus, left foot bunions, right foot bunions, residuals of a rib fracture, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, tonsillitis, dizzy spells, chronic fatigue disorder, pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat), allergy disorder, breathing disorder, sleep apnea, heart disorder manifest by an irregular heartbeat, ulcer, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorder manifested by gas and stomach problems, GERD, kidney disorder, residuals of a left chest lipoma, obesity, left arm disorder, and numbness, pain, and stiffness in the fingers.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for skin condition, migraine headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by submitting written correspondence withdrawing these issues.