GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities, as he failed to report to previous examinations. The TDIU claim is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's scar on the top of his head is rated at 30 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for painful scars. The Veteran also received TDIU benefits effective January 14, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete military personnel records and potential active-duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of a bilateral hip disorder, acid reflux, or hypertension related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding service connection for fibromyalgia. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed again with an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is granted as a presumptive service connection due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.,Service connection for migraines is granted based on an in-service head injury and current diagnosis.,Service connection for asthma is granted based on diagnosed exercise-induced asthma during active service.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on a history of noise exposure during active service.,Service connection for GERD due to Gulf War exposures is granted as it began during active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastritis with GERD, amenorrhea, dysplasia, and a stomach condition (IBS) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's GERD and hypertension are not service-connected. The Board found no direct or secondary service connection for GERD, and the evidence did not establish a link between PTSD and GERD worsening. For hypertension, as the Veteran served in Vietnam, he is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents during his service, but there was no established link to his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for vitiligo. The Veteran's OSA, GERD, BXO, and headaches are remanded due to incomplete development of the record.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling additional examinations. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the remaining claims.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, tendonitis, vertigo, dermatitis, GERD, hypertension, prostate hypertrophy, and hernia. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acid reflux and his service, as well as its relation to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for GERD has been remanded due to lack of recent in-person examination documentation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy claims are being remanded as the VA examinations were inadequate.,ED is secondary to service-connected conditions including medications taken for other disabilities.

An initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted prior to June 24, 2020.,The claim of service connection for a right ankle disorder is reopened and the appeal is granted to this extent only.,Service connection for GERD is granted.,The appeal is remanded for further evaluation on the issue of service connection for a neck disorder.,The appeal is remanded for further evaluation on the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability including GERD has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disability remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and alcohol use disorder, was granted. The claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor event. Service connection for primary insomnia, secondary to the acquired psychiatric disorder, is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for genital herpes, oral herpes secondary to genital herpes, and GERD are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that the VA did not comply with prior remand directives and requires additional information from the Veteran regarding his symptoms, which must be recorded in the medical opinions. The claims for service connection for gastrointestinal and heart disabilities are being remanded to obtain this information.

Service connection for IBS is granted. A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective July 2020 is granted, but a higher rating for GERD is denied.