GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's esophageal cancer, specifically whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with secondary alcoholism and cognitive disorder secondary to alcoholism.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric condition (including anxiety), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate VA examination and failure to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for an updated VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hypothyroidism. The examiner must consider various medical articles discussing associations between OSA and psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain secondary to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a staged rating of 50% prior to October 5, 2019 and 70% from that date. The Veteran's Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease is granted at 70%. GERD remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an esophageal condition, finding no evidence of a current disability etiologically related to his active service or another service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including increased ratings for various conditions and service connection claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, a heart disorder, angina pectoris, residuals of a ventral hernia, hepatitis, a lung disorder (atlectasis), hematochezia, gallstones, an autoimmune disorder, and a colon disorder. Service connection was granted for chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, TDIU, and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound due to inextricably intertwined issues with the gastroesophageal disorder claim. The VA is requested to obtain an etiology opinion on all esophageal conditions diagnosed during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus, and sleep apnea have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations. The issues of increased disability evaluations, service connection, and TDIU are all related and require further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to potential exposure during service. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has remanded four service connection claims: erectile dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, GERD with acid reflux, and skin cancer. The remand requires the AOJ to obtain addendum medical opinions addressing the etiology of each condition in relation to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and any prescribed medications related to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for left leg varicose veins, lumbar spine condition, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, cervical spine foraminal stenosis, right upper extremity nerve involvement (claimed as carpal tunnel), left upper extremity nerve involvement (claimed as nerve damage), acid reflux, and sleep apnea are all remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is remanded because a new VA examination and opinion are needed given her testimony of continued back pain since service. The claim for right hip arthritis and left hip arthritis is also remanded as it involves bilateral hips, necessitating a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's cervical spine foraminal stenosis claim is remanded due to its inextricability with her lumbar spine disability. A VA examination and medical nexus opinion are needed for both direct and secondary theories of causation.,The Veteran's claims for right upper extremity nerve involvement (claimed as carpal tunnel) and left upper extremity nerve involvement (claimed as nerve damage) are remanded due to their inextricability with her cervical spine disability. A VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding the secondary theory of causation is needed.,The Veteran's acid reflux claim is remanded because a VA examination and medical opinion are needed given her service-connected left leg varicose veins and other potential service-connected disabilities, as well as her testimony about obesity being an intermediate step between these conditions and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were granted service connection. The headache disorder was denied as not incurred in or caused by service. Memory loss was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right great toe disability and remanded the issue of a higher initial rating for GERD from July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew her appeals, and service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 60 percent, and her pelvic pain is rated at 30 percent. The vaginal condition remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a hiatal hernia and granted a 30 percent disability rating for GERD. The increased rating claim for IVDS before February 17, 2022, and a greater than 20 percent thereafter is remanded.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia was not found to be secondary to his service-connected GERD.