GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD, but the claims for Meniere's disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected nasal disability symptoms more closely approximate 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side, resulting in a 10% rating. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran’s gastrointestinal condition and acid reflux are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acid reflux disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD or medication for any service-connected disabilities. His PFB rating remains at 10 percent, and the earlier effective date claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of the claimed conditions to service. The Veteran's low back, knee, hemorrhoid, GERD, and urinary tract disabilities are all being reviewed further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability and gastroesophageal disorder due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and service connection for a right shoulder disability, joint pain, and neck disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is denied as the evidence does not show symptoms that warrant an increased rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as there are no manifestations of severe, debilitating ringing of the ears to support a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the medical evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.,Service connection for tuberculosis (TB) is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and absence of evidence showing active TB during service or post-service.,Service connection for gastrointestinal (GI) disorder is denied as there is no established link between the Veteran's upset stomach in service and his current GERD.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted service connection as they are presumed to have started during active service.,Service connection for the back disability has not been established, with the Board finding that it is less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right wrist tendonitis and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for GERD. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's dermatitis, urticaria, and pruritus are remanded for further examination to determine the severity of his skin disability during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and rating determinations due to an inability to obtain certain medical records from Saints Mary & Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Veteran's digestive disorder, including Barrett's esophagus and GERD, is not service-connected. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are granted a 40 percent rating since May 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of vocational rehabilitation and functional capacity evaluations, which were not provided by a vocational rehabilitation counselor as directed in the previous August 2019 remand. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include posttraumatic stress disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, right hip osteoarthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and several other disabilities.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease.,For the period prior to September 16, 2019, the Veteran’s coronary artery disease was rated at 30 percent and has been increased to 60 percent.,Starting from September 16, 2019, the Veteran's coronary artery disease is rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension remains denied as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or secondary service connection to PTSD or diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's GERD has been granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and/or diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including left wrist radiocarpal disease, right wrist radiocarpal disease, right wrist tendonitis, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenitis, arthritis of the right foot, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a joint pain condition, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and fatigue due to lack of objective indications of a qualifying chronic disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, GERD, and fatigue are remanded for further development.

The Board denied a disability rating higher than 30 percent for hiatal hernia with GERD from June 4, 2012, to the present.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of hiatal hernia/GERD and lower back condition.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for recurrent partial small bowel obstruction is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not related to his military service and does not qualify for secondary service connection. The preponderance of evidence shows that GERD was first diagnosed after separation from service, and it is not linked to any in-service event or condition.