GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for IBS, diverticulosis colon, and GERD at a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for GERD and remanded the cases of umbilical hernia, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's digestive disability needs further examination and review due to incomplete medical records and potential misalignment of symptoms.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and acid reflux, finding that his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and hemorrhoids as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,Obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and hemorrhoids were found to be substantially caused or aggravated by the Veteran's obesity, which was itself a substantial factor in being caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions of major depressive disorder, cervicodorsal myositis, hypertension, and dermatitis.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as aggravated by PTSD, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal, erectile dysfunction, foot disabilities, skeletal arthritis, stomach area disability, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease secondary to diabetes mellitus, eye disabilities secondary to diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all related to service. The examination is required to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a left knee disability, cardiac disability (manifested by chest pain), or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at any time during or recent to the filing of the claim. The Veteran's medical records do not provide evidence of these conditions.,For the remaining issues, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to July 13, 2017 due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employment history.

The Veteran's claim for a stomach condition (IBS) is denied as there is no current diagnosis of IBS. The right toe hallux valgus is found to be a congenital defect not subject to service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for food allergies, sinusitis, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, and GERD have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his in-service reactions to certain foods, but granted service connection for sinusitis based on exposure to fine particulate matter during service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues, including hypertension and acid reflux, as well as a claim for a TDIU due to his death.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted an increased rating to 40 percent from February 9, 2021 to April 22, 2022. Service connection for bilateral pes planus and gastroesophageal reflux disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to difficulties in contacting him and obtaining necessary medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a more complete medical opinion regarding whether any current gastrointestinal disability is related to the Veteran's military service, specifically addressing causation and aggravation by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for GERD has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's GERD, to include hiatal hernia with esophageal spasms, is not productive of severe impairment of health and thus a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied. The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted as incurred in service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD with ulcerative colitis on a schedular basis but granted an extraschedular rating. The Director of Compensation Service determined that the available medical evidence did not support a higher evaluation on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him homebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus his claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status are denied.