GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include low back disability, right knee disability, diverticulitis, skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, cholelithiasis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and Bell's palsy.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board dismissed them as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of GERD and its relationship to service-connected conditions. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant private treatment records, and a new VA examiner will be consulted to address these issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues for further development, including the rating of his right knee and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's unverified military service records. The AOJ is instructed to verify any service and provide the appellant with an opportunity to submit additional evidence supporting his claim.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a GI disorder, including as due to exposures during Gulf War service. The case is sent back for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed GI disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her GERD and IBS is remanded due to the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including effective dates and ratings for shoulder and ankle conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of the record, specifically requiring a new VA examination to evaluate whether the Veteran has a diagnosable gastrointestinal condition distinct from his service-connected GERD and gastritis.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since August 31, 2020. The appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sinus disorder, GERD, hysterectomy (previously claimed as fibroid tumors), PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, and alopecia have been granted. The appeal was dismissed for the issue of a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and GERD were both denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent. The case was remanded for further examination.,Service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy and fatigue, to include chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome was not reopened, and the others (allergic rhinitis, vertigo, GERD, muscle and joint pain, fibromyalgia, skin rash, and neurological problems) were also denied. A rating higher than 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of low back disability, cervical spine disability, somatic disorder (pain disorder), and GERD for further development.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, restless leg syndrome, GERD, and hypertension as the symptoms were found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of GERD and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims in writing.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification on whether the Veteran's digestive complaints are consistent with an undiagnosed illness and if they cause functional impairment.

The Veteran was found to be gainfully employed throughout the period of appeal and thus not unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, bilateral knee disabilities, and hemorrhoids due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.