GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and a digestive system disability other than GERD due to new evidence indicating potential worsening of his GERD symptoms, including the possible development of Barrett's esophagus. The case is being returned for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a 10% rating as of December 25, 2018, with no earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates, service connection, and increased ratings have been denied.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea with hyperinflated lungs asthma, PTSD, GERD, and right shoulder strain on November 20, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, sleep apnea, and respiratory disorders. The claims are now before the Board for further review.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder other than asthma, stomach condition, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and consideration of whether an elevation in disability rating is warranted based on the severity of his overall disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, sleep apnea, multiple joint and muscle pain, and fatigue due to lack of adequate medical opinions and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous remand instructions regarding a medical opinion on the severity of the Veteran's GERD without medication. The issues of rating for GERD, TDIU, and housebound SMC prior to July 13, 2019 are also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all claims related to gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hallux rigidus, residuals of bilateral leg stress fracture, bilateral ankle disorders, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service connection claim for GERD is granted as a new and material issue, with the condition meeting the criteria of a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance based on the use of a right foot orthotic device was denied because there is no record of him using such an orthotic in 2020 or 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Parkinson's disease, PTSD, and GERD as they are related to service. The RO must obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, to include GERD and constipation.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, hypertension, and incontinence are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on a direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraines, and physical impairments of the right shoulder, knees, back, and eyes, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 2, 2015.

The Veteran's trixaicin cream was not used in conjunction with a service-connected skin disability, thus the clothing allowance claim for 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating to 70 percent, and the issue of service connection for GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, and related conditions are granted. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents during service, which supports his claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bone spurs of the left and right heels, hypertension (HTN), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of medical opinions addressing whether his service-connected psychiatric disabilities caused or aggravated these conditions.