GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding no evidence linking his current diagnosis to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for GERD was denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding whether he experiences characteristic prostrating attacks of headache pain.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating from November 9, 2019. The claim for higher ratings prior to this date remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is not related to service or his service-connected PTSD or medications taken for service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to challenges raised by the Veteran regarding the qualifications of the VA examiners who provided opinions on sleep apnea. The AOJ is required to obtain and provide information about the credentials of these examiners.

The Veteran's cyclic vomiting with fatigue, shaking, dizziness and GERD has been rated at a maximum of 60 percent under the criteria for diverticulitis. The Board granted this rating as it is consistent with the severity of his symptoms which include severe pain, vomiting, weight loss, electrolyte imbalances, nausea, hypokalemia, dehydration requiring IV hydration and potassium replacement, and hospitalizations.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her in-service eating habits and is more likely due to a pre-existing condition. The cervical spine disability was also denied as it did not show an increase in severity during active duty.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied because there was no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression during the Veteran's ACDUTRA, and her current condition is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, specifically including hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his active service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, while his gout and/or generalized arthritis, left leg disability, right leg/right ankle disability, skin disability of the feet, bilateral foot disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, acid reflux, hemorrhoids, poor circulation/venous insufficiency, and headache disability are denied. The Veteran's jock itch is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the evidence did not support a direct link to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, to include acid reflux, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service gastrointestinal issues and his current GERD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected GERD and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current digestive disorders, including GERD, are related to his service. The case is being returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a gastroenterologist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD and a right arm injury, finding that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a causal relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's GERD, and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable colon syndrome, GERD, small bundle fiber neuropathy, a low back disorder, sleep disorders, hypogammaglobulinemia, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to new evidence or further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient initial adjudication of certain issues and for an addendum opinion on his TBI residuals.