GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS were granted a 30 percent rating from December 6, 2016 to December 27, 2019.,The Veteran's GERD and IBS were granted a 60 percent rating starting from December 28, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiner.

The Veteran's service connection for ocular migraines and an increased rating for GERD prior to March 21, 2019 are both granted. The Veteran has been diagnosed with migraine headaches in-service and continues to experience them post-service. For the period on appeal, his GERD is manifested by intermittent symptoms including epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the claims for service connection for GERD, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and left knee medial meniscus tear as secondary to service-connected right knee arthritis and right hip arthritis. The VA examinations conducted in May 2020 are inadequate for adjudication purposes due to insufficient addressing of whether these conditions are aggravated by poor biomechanics caused by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, GERD, and dysphagia due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and vaginal condition due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, special home adaptation grant, individual unemployability, and aid and attendance/housebound benefits have been dismissed as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal. The service connection claims are also dismissed due to the death of both the Veteran and his surviving spouse.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for GERD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the Veteran's ability to perform sedentary work.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding service connection and rating for various conditions, including sleep apnea, appetite disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and insomnia. The Veteran's death prevented the Board from making a decision on these claims.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective August 21, 2020. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, including GERD and Barrett's esophagus, as well as secondary service connection to his PTSD or medication used to manage his PTSD. The VA examiner found that the digestive disorder did not begin during active service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease.

Service connection for GERD is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for vertigo and balance disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for OSA, including as secondary to MDD, has been withdrawn and dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was denied. The Board found that the frequency of his attacks did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is granted a 30 percent disability rating, which requires persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal pain.

The Veteran withdrew her claims for service connection for a digestive disorder and right hand disability, both secondary to PTSD. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to the complexity of his medical conditions, including CAD, tinnitus, hearing loss, GERD, kidney disease, claudication, and knee condition. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's upper gastrointestinal disability is related to his military service. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner.