GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, to include meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for GERD due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for GERD, dermatitis, a bilateral eye disability, a right Achilles disability, and a right calf disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and TDIU due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his GERD, including whether it is related to service exposure or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, residuals of TBI, and joint pain have been granted. The claim for left ear hearing loss has been reopened but remanded for further examination. The Veteran's claim for neuropathy requires additional development to determine exposure and etiology. His insomnia claim is also pending further clarification. The Veteran's GERD claim remains remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a stomach disability has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other claims, including those related to the lumbosacral spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, dermographism, and bilateral eye disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 3, 2012. Additionally, the Veteran's psychiatric disability alone has also precluded her from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's GERD, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis and GERD are granted service connection as they became manifest within the first year after separation from active duty.,Service connection is also granted for a central nervous system disorder, to include white matter disease disorder.

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

The Board denied service connection for IBS, upper gastrointestinal disorder (hiatal hernia and GERD), fibromyalgia, and low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to her active military service or due to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the rating criteria and inadequate examination findings. The Veteran's duodenal ulcer is rated under DC 7346-6516, which does not account for medication effects. The left hip disability ratings are also remanded due to an inadequate December 2015 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and a gastrointestinal disorder, as they are related to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The claims are now pending and need further review by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to his active service.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection of esophageal cancer due to the service-connected GERD, finding that the esophageal cancer is as likely as not related to the long-term use of painkillers caused by GERD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and clarification of the Veteran's service-connected gastroenteritis, including any additional disorders. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine her current symptoms and severity.

The Veteran's metastatic right tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma is granted as service connected due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia and trigeminal and hypoglossal cranial neuropathy are secondary to his metastatic right tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma, which is also service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's metastatic right tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia, and trigeminal and hypoglossal cranial neuropathy as secondary to his cancer is granted.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded for further evaluation and treatment records to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, diabetes mellitus, gout, GERD, sinus disorder (including watery eyes), and sebaceous cyst have been dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not support a direct nexus between these conditions and active service.