GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, hypertension, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent disability rating for GERD is granted, with the condition being secondary to service-connected GERD. The decision also notes that sleep disturbance as secondary to GERD warrants consideration.

The Board denied service connection for COPD, bronchitis (including asthma), and GERD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Specifically, the Veteran's current respiratory disabilities were not shown to have had their onset in service or be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the hypertension claim. Service connection was also denied for chronic respiratory disorder, GI disorder, and OSA due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied as there were no findings of greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, or nasal polyps.,An initial evaluation of 10 percent for GERD prior to July 22, 2019 was granted. The Veteran's GERD with IBS and diverticulitis is not entitled to a higher evaluation as there were no findings of vomiting, material weight loss, hematemesis or melena, anemia, or severe impairment of health.

The Board has remanded the claims for chest pains and joint disorders due to exposure to hazardous materials, including burn pit exposures. Additional medical opinions are needed to address whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia repair is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that the criteria for a higher rating are not met and denied the claim. Headaches have been remanded due to missing treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a brain condition, left shoulder disorder, and GERD due to new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, diagnosed as adjustment disorder was denied because the evidence did not show a current disability related to active service.,Service connection for acid reflux was also denied due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between the condition and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of how the ameliorative effects of Nexium were factored into the evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his increased rating claim and TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, osteoarthritis of bilateral hand, carpal tunnel syndrome of bilateral wrist, and gastroesophageal reflux disease as these conditions were not shown to be related to active military service.

The Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD beginning February 8, 2014. Prior to this date, the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran was granted TDIU beginning April 1, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of that date.,VA denied an extraschedular rating for migraine headaches prior to April 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and an eye disorder due to potential service-connection based on herbicide exposure or secondary to a service-connected condition.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an artery or vein disorder, as it is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim. The gastrointestinal disorder claim remains pending.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder due to potential service-connection based on herbicide exposure or secondary to a service-connected condition.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an eye disorder, as it is inextricably intertwined with the hypertension claim.

The Board has remanded the claims due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and legal inadequacies in the VA examiners' opinions. The claims are now pending for further evaluation.

Service connection for a low back disability, to include spinal stenosis is granted. An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis are denied. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, to include as secondary to PTSD, was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of TDIU prior to June 30, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current disorder did not originate during or because of his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of the assigned percentages for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues related to service connection.