GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS-D is granted, while the claim for GERD remains denied. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an upper respiratory disorder to include sinusitis.

The Veteran's right knee disability, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD with hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus), and skin condition of the hands and feet have been granted service connection. The rating for the gastrointestinal disorder has been increased to 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on statutory housebound status as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated totally disabling, to include consideration of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's muscle spasms of the legs and feet are remanded for further analysis regarding their relationship to service or secondary to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's hypertension, claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is remanded for further analysis.,The Veteran's obesity (claimed as hypothyroidism) is remanded for further analysis regarding its relationship to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's GERD is remanded for further analysis regarding its relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for hemorrhoids, and remanded the claims for flat feet and acid reflux due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety, are being remanded due to incorrect categorization of the issues as secondary to service-connected status-post inguinal hernia repairs instead of nerve entrapment. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those for PTSD and other conditions, due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and sleep apnea. The claim of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to include as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded, and the increased rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also remanded.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is granted a separate, compensable rating of 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The Veteran's GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, IBS, and esophageal adenocarcinoma residuals are granted a disability rating of 60 percent from September 25, 2012 to present.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and alcohol use disorder has been granted.,A rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and alcohol use disorder is also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and sleep apnea due to incomplete opinions in the February 2015 VA examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered new claims.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,The Board also denied service connection for chest pain, concluding that there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment caused by the claimed in-service injury.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 5, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher initial rating.,Service connection for hiatal hernia and GERD was established in June 2012 with a noncompensable rating effective January 2, 2012. The Veteran seeks an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability, heart disability, hypertension, and GERD due to incomplete medical opinions provided in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and need for additional examinations. The issues include eye disorders, gastrointestinal disorders (including acid reflux and GERD), and depression secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address whether the Veteran's hypertension, GERD, and sleep apnea are related to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not adequately comply with prior Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further development to verify the Veteran's exposure to hazardous chemicals/gas, environmental toxins, and herbicides while stationed in South Korea.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD and IBS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to a known clinical diagnosis (GERD) rather than an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI. The claim was also denied for a deviated septum.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence linking the current gastrointestinal disability or deviated septum to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as service connection claims for hypothyroidism, GERD, a low back disability, left and right elbow degenerative joint disease, gout (claimed as bilateral foot disability), COPD, kidney, and prostate disabilities. The Board has also dismissed the Veteran's appeals of these issues due to his withdrawal of them.