GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and acid reflux, finding that both conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder degenerative changes. The appeal is remanded for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for cirrhosis of the liver, GERD, prostate enlargement, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck condition), and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent evaluation, which is the maximum allowed under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, loss of muscle in the right upper extremity, neck disability, and sinusitis are all being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and major depressive disorder were denied. The Veteran was also remanded for further development on his COPD and lumbar spine disability claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, cervical spondylosis with degenerative arthritis, and open angle glaucoma. The VA examinations scheduled in September 2019 were not conducted due to the Veteran's failure to report. Additionally, Social Security records are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s colitis with GERD and hiatal hernia did not cause his death, but a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion on whether it contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 30% effective May 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee instability and right knee instability due to inadequate VA examination. The GERD claim is denied as there are outstanding private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for urinary retention and remanded several other claims due to new evidence. The back disability, gastritis/GERD, chest pain, dizziness and blackouts, headaches, right shoulder disability, and right elbow disability claims are all being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroenteritis and GERD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his in-service treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected Crohn’s disease with GERD, ED, and multiple arthralgias of the shoulders, knees, and left ankle is rated at 60 percent, which grants an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee chondromalacia patella and degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, major depression, anxiety, GERD, hiatal hernia, IBS, gastroenteritis, and sleep apnea. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to support his claims of lumbar back disability secondary to leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for GERD is also granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lumbar back disability secondary to leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 60 percent since January 29, 2018. He also receives TDIU based on this condition and SMC due to housebound status.

The Veteran's GERD and migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, cervical spine disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, GERD, TBI, and an equilibrium disorder. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to issues related to the Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD, including a need for an examination to assess its severity without medication.

The Board denied service connection for a gallbladder condition, and remanded other issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities.