GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his forward flexion or combined range of motion met the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for GERD was also denied because there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition preexisted service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, hypertension, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is awarded a total disability rating for his PTSD, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's gastritis and GERD symptoms have been rated at a 60 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia have been rated as noncompensable since March 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating due to lack of symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation, or substernal pain.

The Veteran's TBI with PTSD is granted a total rating, and his left eye recurrent corneal erosions, painful motion of the left knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome), GERD, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are all granted increased ratings. The Veteran’s tendon strain of the right fifth finger remains remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at a non-compensable level, and his dysphasia and gastroesophageal reflux are denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted, with the exception of his right knee and back issues which are remanded. The Veteran also has higher ratings for his mechanical low back syndrome and limitation of flexion of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding service connection for GERD and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (fibromyalgia, chronic diarrhea with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and asthma) make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his fatigue. The issues of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and entitlement to TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The issues of service connection for gastroesophageal disease (GERD), upper back and cervical spine disability, and sinusitis and rhinitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dental treatment purposes, ear disability, low back disability, neck disability, and irritable bowel syndrome have been dismissed.,A 100 percent rating for PTSD has been granted effective April 17, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for GERD with gastroenteritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, and there was no entitlement to an earlier effective date based on the receipt of informal claims prior to August 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for right knee flexion and entitlement to a Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 10, 2020. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30% and her psychiatric disability is rated at 70%. These ratings are not contested.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, GERD, and DJD of the lumbar and thoracic spine were denied. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. A TDIU from September 3, 2013 to November 13, 2019 was granted, but the claim is moot after that date.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral vision loss, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there was no current disability or evidence of a relationship to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the lumbar spine, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease, right knee, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal (GI) disability, diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, due to medication used to manage other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal service connection, increased ratings for patellar chondromalacia right knee and degenerative arthritis of the spine with mild disc protrusion and lumbar strain, and an increased rating for headaches due to new evidence received since the August 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.