GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues of back condition, GERD, sinus condition, respiratory condition, and scars are remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, TBI with vertigo and dizziness, CFS, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran will be provided new VA examinations to clarify his diagnoses and determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, the lowest available rating. The symptoms were intermittent and did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no current hearing loss disability in the right ear, and left ear hearing loss was rated at 0 percent. Hypertension, GERD, cervical spine degenerative joints with herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulpous with radiculitis down posterior leg, right knee effusion/degenerative changes, left knee degenerative changes, and OSA were not granted increased ratings or service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, nausea (now claimed as gastroesophageal reflux disease), and muscle tension headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are now before the Board again.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for malaise and fatigue, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and GERD for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and cholecystectomy due to issues regarding earlier effective dates and the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's GERD and TDIU claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and reactive airway disease, as well as his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his conditions, and a new VA Form 21-8940 should also be completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 8, 2018. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain her service treatment records and private medical records, particularly those related to Dr. Ober.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and tension headaches due to a lack of adequate evidence regarding the current severity of his conditions. A new VA examination is required for both issues.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for a determination as to whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU, including on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his anxiety disorder and left ankle degenerative arthritis with history of sprain and instability, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for GERD with fatty liver hepatomegaly and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is required because the examination provided by the VA examiner was inadequate as it did not address the Veteran's symptoms of nausea and dizziness related to his service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted, with a 10 percent rating. The appeal for an increased rating for unspecified anxiety disorder is dismissed.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew his request for a higher rating for duodenal ulcer and GERD prior to April 1, 2021.