GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The Board finds the evidence persuasive that she is unable to perform the physical and mental acts required by employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus, an effective date prior to December 6, 2014 for the grant of a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus, and nonservice-connected pension have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received for sleep apnea, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver disorder and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's rhinitis/sinusitis is granted as presumptively related to his active duty service in Afghanistan. The claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The issues of service connection for hypertension and gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) are remanded pending completion of additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, erectile dysfunction (secondary to service-connected condition), and gastroesophageal reflux disease are all granted. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU because he is substantially and gainfully employed, with a combined rating of 80 percent from September 15, 2011; 90 percent from December 3, 2013; and 100 percent from April 17, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraines, chronic allergies, sinusitis, and GERD have been granted initial disability ratings. The Veteran is now in receipt of a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective August 20, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep disturbances, obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms during active duty is considered in these decisions.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD was granted a 30 percent rating from September 26, 2012. Service connection for multiple sclerosis was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, acid reflux disease, and COPD as inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ must reschedule VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his esophagitis, duodenal ulcer with deformed duodenal bulb, gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has decided that the issue of service connection for a gastrointestinal disability other than IBS, to include GERD, needs further development and is therefore remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for hypertension, respiratory disorder, or migraine headaches. Increased ratings for GERD and migraine headaches prior to April 24, 2020, and from that date, were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether there was an additional disability and if VA failed to exercise proper care in treating the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran is also advised to submit a supplemental claim for direct service connection.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee strain, status post partial medial meniscectomy with instability, prior to August 13, 2018, was denied.,A 30 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's GERD with gastroesophageal junction ulcers.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective August 3, 2012. The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.