GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma. The claims for hypertension, a heart condition other than SVT, and GERD are remanded.

The Board has ordered further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD, specifically whether it is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease, recurring skin lesions, and hemorrhoids. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with the issue of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 60 percent disability rating effective July 13, 2010. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for OSA and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his right shoulder disability and SMC based on loss of use of the right shoulder. The Board also notes that service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete examination schedule and requests that a VA examination be scheduled for the Veteran to determine his GERD condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for migraines prior to March 5, 2018 is denied.,Several service connection claims are remanded due to the overlap with the increased rating claims and need for updated medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including obesity, back disorders, neck disorders, lower extremity disorders, upper extremity disorders, and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Service connection is remanded for GERD and hiatal hernia, COPD, and left upper quadrant pain.

The Board granted an effective date of October 14, 2003 for the grant of service connection for IBS. The appeals of other issues were dismissed as having been withdrawn during the hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations in December 2019, which did not address positive evidence of record.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for hypertension and a bilateral hand disability has been granted. The initial increased rating of 30 percent for kidney stones is also granted.,Service connection for hypertension and a bilateral hand disability remains remanded, while the claim for an increased rating for GERD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The claims for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to incomplete STRs, inadequate VA medical opinions, and need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, low back, acquired psychiatric disorder (e.g., PTSD, Anxiety, Depression), GERD, hemorrhoids, hypertension, left ankle, right ankle, left elbow, left shoulder, left wrist, right wrist, and sciatic nerve disorders affecting both lower extremities are all service-connected.

The appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD is dismissed. The claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive system disorder (IBS), respiratory disorder (rhinitis and sarcoidosis), and joint and muscle pain are reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for residuals of frostbite on the bilateral feet, concluding that there was no evidence of such condition during service and no current disability.

The Veteran's GERD was not found to warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms, if left untreated, would include persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for GERD throughout the appeal period.

The Board has found that additional development is needed and the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded. The Veteran needs to be provided with new VA examinations to assess his current severity of service-connected IVDS with spondylolisthesis and DDD, as well as GERD.

The Board has remanded the claims for IBS and GERD with hiatal hernia and Barrett's syndrome, as well as the claim for migraine headaches. The remand is due to issues related to subjective terminology in the applicable rating criteria and the need for additional development of records.