GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and a groin disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claim for an ulnar nerve left wrist disability due to service-connected left finger disability.,Service connection is denied for a gastrointestinal disability, including gastritis and GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 31, 2014. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's chronic diarrhea is due to an undiagnosed illness presumptively related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The claims for GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, hiatal hernia, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a rating of 30 percent effective July 22, 2020. Prior to that date, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of gastroesophageal reflux disease and hypertension, as well as his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 4, 2007. The reasons are that VA examiners did not consider or address whether the Veteran’s GERD is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected alcohol abuse disorder and/or due to his two episodes of viral gastroenteritis during service, and whether his hypertension is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied an increase in the Veteran's right shoulder disability rating to more than 20 percent, effective November 29, 2018. The issue of service connection for GERD is remanded due to a lack of compliance with prior instructions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, insomnia disorder, and acid reflux due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence that the current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to insufficient examination reports and additional evidence added since the last decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are more closely approximated by a 50 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are more closely approximated by the current 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for chronic otitis, septoplasty, GERD, and a genitourinary disability other than erectile dysfunction. The issue of an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, specifically whether it is related to service or his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus with paresthesia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been reopened. The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during service and remanded his claims for these conditions due to insufficient evidence of a connection between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's esophageal stricture and differentiation from his GERD symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed and examinations are required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The appeals will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal tract disability, specifically ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disorder, and a stomach disorder (GERD) as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus. The claims for the right knee disorder and stomach disorder are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for osteoporosis, acid reflux/GERD, and hyperthyroidism as the evidence did not support a nexus to military service or any presumptive conditions.