GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to their inextricability with the character of discharge claim. The Appellant's mental health issues and eye disability are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's right wrist and hand disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including headaches, neck disorder, knee disorders, hip disorders, foot disorders, hypertension, heart disorder, stroke residuals, hiatal hernia, sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or after his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a gastric ulcer disability prior to May 26, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is remanded due to the need for an adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address whether his conditions are related to service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for hypertension and service connection for GERD are also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) as due to herbicide exposure, based on the Veteran's Vietnam-era service and his current diagnosis of CAD.

The Veteran's appeals for extraschedular ratings and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw these matters.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and GERD due to additional development needed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for GERD, peptic ulcer, and chronic gastritis due to missing STRs from 1978 to 1982. The Veteran's STRs may not have been properly associated with her file.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD and PTSD. The VA clinician is requested to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 1, 2017 was denied as he had been employed and the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The claim for DEA benefits prior to November 1, 2017 was also denied due to lack of employment history provided by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and remanded the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's GERD and whether his sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by PTSD and/or GERD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board found no evidence of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,Service connection for IBS, GERD, diverticulitis, rosacea, fungal infection, and polyps under arms, groin and mouth was denied as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus, and hypertrophic gastritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, secondary malignant neoplasm of the bone, and gout have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for GERD. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, lower gastrointestinal disorder, and related shoulder disorders are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions. The lumbar spine disorder is also being remanded as it involves a secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 20, 2020 do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. From January 20, 2020, the Veteran has a combined schedular rating of 100 percent and TDIU cannot be granted on the basis of one service-connected disability.