GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and low back disorder are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to October 14, 2015 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the nature of the Veteran's service in the Army Reserve from July 1975 to May 1976, and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his GERD, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hepatitis C. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cancer of the esophagus and GERD/Barrett's esophagus have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,The Veteran was unable to establish a nexus between his current GERD and Barrett's esophagus and service due to the lack of contemporaneous medical records indicating such conditions during or immediately following service.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 23, 2019.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for GERD prior to December 24, 2014, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7346.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 10, 2018 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been denied.,Effective dates cannot be established before the date of separation from active duty or the date entitlement arose if within one year.

The appellant withdrew their appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for genitourinary disability, gastroesophageal disorder, septoplasty, and chronic otitis. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's GERD is also granted with an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for residuals of a neck injury and an increased rating for PTSD due to withdrawal. The issues of service connection for GERD, allergies, chronic sinusitis, and deviated septum are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, rendered him in need of regular aid and assistance for activities of daily living from August 20, 2011, to May 22, 2013. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension and GERD as they involve issues of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether his rectal prolapse is a manifestation of his Crohn's disease with rectal sparing, GERD, and erosive gastritis. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied, as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,For dyspepsia prior to June 3, 2015, the criteria were not met. However, beginning from that date, a 30 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for esophageal disorder and total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's testimony regarding in-service treatment, post-service surgery, and diagnosis of H. pylori must be considered by a new examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective July 15, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis, GERD, dermatitis, and bilateral elbow bursitis are being remanded due to the need for further development. The AOJ must review the additional evidence submitted since the last decision.