GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's pinguecula is remanded for further examination to determine its likely cause.,The Veteran's left ankle disability, loss of sensation in the left and right hands, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depressive disorder), left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability are all remanded as they may be related to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran also has other issues that need examination including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience during the period from January 1, 2010 through June 18, 2010.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, perforated right ear drum, and cervical spine disability. The remaining claims of sinusitis, respiratory disability (including asthma and bronchitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded as well.

The Veteran's right anterior tibia scar was initially rated as noncompensable and later increased to 10 percent. The PTSD claim resulted in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, with the exception of August 14, 2015 when it was granted at 50 percent. The Veteran's diverticulitis with GERD claim was denied.,The Board found no evidence to support increased ratings for any conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back conditions due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.,Service connection was also denied for gastritis, GERD, skin condition, and thyroid condition as there is no medical evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal condition, hiatal hernia, and acid reflux are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded this case due to the need for a new opinion addressing the Veteran's GERD and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities, as well as any relevant lay statements and medical treatises.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection due to Gulf War exposure. The other conditions are not yet determined as they may be related to undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left shoulder disorder and gastroparesis with GERD are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure to burn pits smoke and fumes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 as her additional disability was not proximately due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault by VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, has been remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral artery disease and stomach disability (GERD, gastritis, hiatal hernia) as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.,There are no indications that the Veteran's GERD or pseudofolliculitis barbae began during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate disorder, hypertension, hearing loss, right knee disability, GERD, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and respiratory disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, concluding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for all claims on appeal, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a DRO hearing to address his polycythemia vera claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach condition, finding that there is no causal relationship between his stomach condition and his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on the Veteran's obesity, which was linked to his previously service-connected cardiac disability and depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and TDIU due to inadequate opinions regarding whether he currently has a diagnosis of GERD or other upper gastrointestinal disability, or had such a disability at any time since his separation from active service in December 2013.