GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar strain and sleep apnea have been granted. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a heart disability and gastrointestinal disability (claimed as GERD). The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection, and for further examination of his gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a 30 percent disability rating effective November 18, 2021. The Board found that his symptoms were productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his lumbar spine and GERD disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim prior to June 22, 2012, are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD, hypertension, a back disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability as there is no credible evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder (to include hearing loss and hyperacusis), right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including review of new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney. The AOJ will be asked to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for IBS/GERD and enlarged thyroid due to new evidence indicating a worsening of symptoms. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of her IBS and the nature and etiology of her thyroid condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of GERD, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

Your claim for service connection for GERD has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and chronic bronchitis were denied, while the claim for GERD was partially granted with a 10% evaluation effective May 10, 2017. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted (GERD) and others were not (PTSD and chronic bronchitis).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missed examinations and a misunderstanding on both sides. The matter will be returned for further examination and etiology opinions.

The Board has found the previous medical opinions inadequate and remanded for another addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's GERD is related to his service. The new opinion must consider the Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms during service and any over-the-counter medications he used.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, GERD and hiatal hernia as secondary to his service-connected PTSD due to insufficient rationale in a February 2021 VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied, as the evidence did not support symptoms consistent with a higher rating. The claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2022, was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and granted. The reduction in the disability rating for PTSD from 70% to 30% effective July 1, 2016, was upheld.

The Veteran's TBI, GERD, seizure disorder including epilepsy, and obstructive sleep apnea are all granted as service-connected.,The Board found that the Veteran had a current disability of each condition while on active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disability, to include GERD, and for a compensable initial disability rating for left ear hearing loss due to lack of VA examination or medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 5, 2013 was denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease since August 3, 2021.