GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's self-reported history and treatment records in previous opinions. The case is being sent back for an addendum opinion from a different examiner.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a skin disability is remanded.

The Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent prior to August 6, 2020 and granted a rating of 30 percent effective July 25, 2022. The case is remanded for additional medical records to determine if the Veteran had symptoms warranting a higher rating prior to August 6, 2020.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw it before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate evaluations and opinions provided by VA examiners. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions and need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for partial small bowel obstruction, cholecystectomy for gangrenous cholecystitis, GERD, polycythemia, skin condition (including blisters on the arm), cyst on the liver, and jaundice are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at 30 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's GERD with IBS is not manifest by symptoms of material weight loss, hematemesis, or melena with moderate anemia, nor have her other symptoms been shown to constitute severe impairment of health. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD with IBS is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and a dental disability, as secondary to the gastrointestinal disability. The gastrointestinal claim is being remanded due to insufficient medical rationale in the previous VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphonia, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions provided by the July 2021 VA examiner.

The Board denied service connection for pernicious anemia and granted a single evaluation of 10% for both alcoholic liver disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted, with the Board finding that the symptoms more nearly approximated a compensable level of severity during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, GERD with Barrett's esophagus, bilateral shoulder condition, and bilateral osteoarthritis of AC joints are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's left bicep condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for stable angina was denied as there was no formal or informal claim filed before December 16, 2019.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disabilities were not readjudicated because new and relevant evidence had not been received within the required timeframe.,Service connection for mixed sleep apnea and GERD secondary to PTSD was granted.,Service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the abdomen and its residuals, related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, was granted.

The Veteran's skin cancer, subcutaneous cysts, left knee and back conditions, esophageal condition (hiatal hernia and / or GERD), and stomach problem (gastritis) are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's skin cancer, subcutaneous cysts, left knee and back conditions, esophageal condition (hiatal hernia and / or GERD), and stomach problem (gastritis) are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, as they did not consider the Veteran's reported symptoms and history of diagnoses. The case is being remanded to afford the Veteran new VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed skin, headaches, GERD, and muscle injury conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and GERD are all granted. The decision is based on the PACT Act presumption of herbicide exposure in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and GERD, finding a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to new theories of causation provided by the Veteran.