GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lower back, neck, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, left shoulder disabilities, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a sleep-related disorder. Entitlement to service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD condition had its onset during his military service and is related to service, granting service connection for GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's upper gastrointestinal condition with acid reflux and regurgitation, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service in the Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's GI disorders, sleep apnea, and CAD. The Veteran will need to provide updated evidence or participate in a VA examination as needed.

The Veteran's helicobacter infection is not service-connected as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD.,There is no current diagnosis of radiculopathy in either the right or left lower extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and GERD is remanded for further evaluation. The effective date remains pending as the appeal is still ongoing.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent rating.,Service connection for COPD and sleep disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Joint pain of ankles, knees, lower legs, shoulders, arms, and wrists are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,GERD and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,No effective date provided as the decision is for appeal purposes only.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and GERD with diverticulitis were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on his symptoms and medical records.

The Veteran's GERD was initially denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 24, 2018. Beginning December 24, 2018, the Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his GERD. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an umbilical hernia secondary to GERD.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied sleep disorder claim has been withdrawn and is dismissed. The issues of service connection for an eye disorder, rating for asthma, cervical spine disability before March 13, 2017, rating for cervical spine disability since March 13, 2017, rating for GERD, and TDIU before March 1, 2017 are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted with effective dates of October 12, 2016. The initial ratings assigned are 20% for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,Effective dates earlier than October 12, 2016 were denied for the grant of service connection for sacralization L5, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraines.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits are remanded due to concerns about his current employment and the need for a new assessment considering all evidence of record, including his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD and bilateral knee disabilities are not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's tension headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,New evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection of right hip and left hip disabilities, but these claims have not been substantiated.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent rating, but not more than 50 percent. Service connection for IBS has been granted as secondary to his service-connected GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's son is seeking service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, including a hiatal hernia, over-sized stomach, and GERD.

The Board has remanded two issues: the initial evaluation of service-connected hypertension and the issue of service connection for GERD. The Veteran's hypertension is to be evaluated again due to a recent worsening, and an examination is needed to determine if his current GERD disability began during service or is otherwise related to service.

The appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the claims are still pending as new evidence has not established a clear link to military service. The rating for GERD remains unchanged.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is granted service connection. The stomach condition and GERD are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for right shoulder disorder and gastrointestinal disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records. The claim for a gastrointestinal disability has also been reopened.