GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and esophageal disability (claimed as GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine if her conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss, upper back, lower back, acid reflux (GERD), respiratory disability, and hemorrhoids were denied service connection. Service connection for the disabilities of the upper and lower extremities was also denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations performed are insufficient to determine the present claims and additional evidentiary development is needed. The Veteran's sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), right wrist and/or forearm disability, and left wrist and/or forearm disability need further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including dental condition, right shoulder disability, right arm disability, OSA, kidney disability, polycythemia, right knee DJD with limitation of flexion, left knee DJD, hemorrhoids, hiatal hernia with GERD, and TDIU. The remand requires additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and conduct a VA examination for the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD and liver disease, cholecystitis with sarcoidosis are rated at 100 percent effective July 23, 2020. He is also granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) from the same date.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, both presumed to be related to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's right lateral epicondylitis and GERD have been granted increased disability evaluations, while the other conditions remain at their current non-compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and higher ratings for PTSD are being remanded due to incomplete records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as the evidence does not meet the minimum schedular criteria prior to March 31, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and tension headaches (migraines), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for depression has been denied due to lack of evidence showing the disability was caused by VA care.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for indigestion acid reflux, secondary to headaches, has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches remains pending and requires further examination to determine if they are related to service or due to another service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, secondary to headaches, has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, both secondary to his right ankle disability, remain pending and require further examination to determine if they are related to service or due to another service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his right ankle disability, remains pending and requires further examination to determine if it is related to service or due to another service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for gastrointestinal reflux disease, back condition, and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran's service records indicate treatment for an upset stomach and possible reflux related to GERD. The examiner should address whether the GERD is caused or aggravated by any medication used for his service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, including IBS and GERD, is granted service connection. A 50 percent rating for posttraumatic headaches prior to April 21, 2017, is also granted. The low back strain issue remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his neck and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea are being remanded due to outstanding records not having been obtained. The Veteran's VA treatment records suggest there may be relevant private treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine strain, sleep apnea, residuals of head injury with post traumatic headaches, right shoulder condition, back condition (lumbar degenerative disc disease), left knee degenerative joint disease, and dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for color blindness was denied due to it being a congenital defect without superimposed disease or injury. The Veteran's duodenitis with GERD received an increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's right lower lung calcified granuloma remains at the current 10 percent evaluation as there is insufficient evidence for further evaluation.,The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's right hip pain was not related to his service and provided a detailed explanation without resorting to mere speculation.

The Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), sinus condition, and various bilateral foot conditions are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional development is required to obtain the Veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefit records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral foot disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic esophagitis, GERD, and hiatal hernia is rated at a 30 percent disability rating since the award of service connection.

The Veteran's sinusitis associated with nasal deviation is rated at 50% effective from July 20, 2015. The Veteran's GERD and obstructive sleep apnea are both service-connected.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 27, 2007 for TDIU and DEA benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.