GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to contaminated food and water during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for GERD is granted.

The Veteran's CAD, lumbar spine disability, and hypothyroidism are all rated at their maximum allowable levels. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for GERD with hiatal hernia or left ear hearing loss.,VA has determined that the Veteran's conditions do not warrant ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and Persian Gulf War Syndrome, to include GERD, are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is also seeking higher ratings for his knee disabilities and an earlier effective date for SMC.,Separate ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are also being remanded as there is no clear separation in the records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the claims of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and respiratory condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of various conditions, including low back disability, right inguinal hernia repair, GERD, diabetes mellitus, CAD, neck disability, hypertension, hemorrhoids, renal failure, and colitis.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a maximum of 60 percent from January 28, 2015 to the present. A TDIU is granted from January 28, 2015 to July 22, 2019.

The Veteran's onychomycosis and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied service connection. The Board granted a TDIU effective May 18, 2010, and DEA eligibility for the same date.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including nicotine dependency, thyroid disorder, kidney disorder, GERD, diabetes mellitus, type II, hepatitis C and its residuals, peripheral artery disease, high blood pressure, COPD, multiple myeloma, chronic anemia, coronary arteriosclerosis disease, erectile dysfunction, and back disorder. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's diverticulosis with GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized for this condition. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted as there are no symptoms of severe impairment of health.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent based on forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees and the combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted as there are no symptoms of severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's low back, right ankle, left ankle, migraine headaches, left wrist, and left foot disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for amenorrhea and dysplasia is remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability (previously characterized as sciatica) has been reopened, and the case is being remanded to further develop evidence related to his Army Reserve and National Guard service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7346.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left foot arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), muscle spasms in the forearms, legs, back, and abdomen, chronic epistaxis, and an autoimmune disease have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability or continuous symptoms since service separation for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hypertension and Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Board found that there was no direct service connection, no aggravation beyond its natural progression by service-connected disabilities, and no causal relationship between the conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition including GERD and Crohn's disease, finding that there is no nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's gastroparesis with GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and hiatal hernia from November 22, 2017, finding that his symptoms were severe enough to warrant this increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability other than irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, and the current evidence does not establish a clear link between her active duty service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since a final December 2007 rating decision. The remaining issues on appeal, including those related to back disability and other conditions, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD was denied. He also had service-connected hoarseness, which was secondary to his GERD.