GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for both the PTSD with major depressive disorder and GERD, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, chronic upper respiratory infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and hemorrhoids as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran's claims for right hip condition, bilateral eye condition, cervical strain and trapezius muscle spasm, panic disorder, allergic rhinitis, and TMJ are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw all the issues related to his service-connected disabilities, except for the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including mental health conditions, GERD, hearing loss, ankle and spine disabilities, as well as a heart disability. The RO has not yet addressed the earlier effective dates for these conditions and is remanded to do so.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and a temporary total evaluation due to left knee disability was dismissed. The application to reopen claims of service connection for right knee disorder and depression were granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbar spine disorder is granted at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of a January 2013 VA outpatient treatment record and the Veteran's September 2015 assertions regarding arm and shoulder pain. The Veteran needs an updated examination by a gastroenterologist to assess his GERD symptoms, including chest pain, arm and shoulder pain, and sleep disturbances.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD was denied, and the effective date for service connection was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file an earlier claim prior to January 31, 2018.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various conditions, including nerve damage, tinnitus, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, right knee disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, gastritis, bilateral hearing loss, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is associated with right knee tri-compartmental degenerative changes and patellar spur, and he seeks a higher rating. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for GERD. Service connection for an endocrine condition (including diabetes mellitus) is remanded due to conflicting opinions on its cause.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea and acid reflux associated with a psychological condition due to an inability to contact the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical clarification and examination. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded because of conflicting evidence regarding his reported stressors. His hypertension, hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and GERD claims are also remanded as there are insufficient post-service records or medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus between GERD and service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his PTSD with alcoholism, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for GERD and left knee disabilities is remanded due to clear notice deficiencies, lack of VA examinations, and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including those related to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding possible exposure to herbicide agents and to secure a medical opinion on the nature and etiology of her service-connected conditions, including vascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), congestive heart failure (CHF), pulmonary hypertension, arteriosclerotic vascular disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), renal disease and/or failure, and hemosiderosis of the liver.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, which grants a higher rating than the current 10 percent. The condition has been productive of considerable impairment of health throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted a 30% disability rating for sinusitis and remanded the case to determine if GERD warrants a higher rating.