GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 7, 2013 for the grant of service connection for GERD is denied. The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for low back disability, GERD, headaches, and ichthyosis vulgaris. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as her combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, but she cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her PTSD and other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical opinion regarding the relationship between the hernia condition and service-connected GERD.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to insufficient nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's esophageal conditions, specifically Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's condition is related to service and Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting new examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening service connection for various conditions and granting service connection for hysterectomy residuals, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), and GERD have been dismissed. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD and sliding hiatal hernia with chronic constipation are granted an increased disability rating of 60 percent, effective July 19, 2013. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a psychiatric disability and service connection for a GI disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection based on direct causation.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral tinnitus and initial rating for GERD/esophagitis have been granted. The Veteran is currently receiving a 30% rating for her GERD/esophagitis.

The Veteran's appeals for gastroesophageal reflux disease, epididymitis, and a respiratory disorder are dismissed. The Board grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The issues of service connection for upper respiratory condition, pulmonary condition, gastrointestinal condition, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and deviated nasal septum have been reopened, but the Board has found new evidence does not establish a clear and unmistakable aggravation of either condition during service. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for hypertension.,The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and GERD.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal regarding his left hip disorder. The remaining issues of service connection for low back, right hip, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's GERD, binge eating disorder, and MDD/Antisocial Disorder were not granted increased ratings. The Board remanded the claims for TMJ disorder, IVDS, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE radiculopathy.

The Board has found that additional development is required for each of the appealed claims, resulting in unavoidable delay of the Board's adjudication. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to additional information received after a previous medical opinion. The AOJ is required to arrange for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee condition and other conditions, contributed to his obesity and thus aggravated his OSA.

The Veteran's use of a wheelchair and forearm crutches for service-connected disabilities is granted as a clothing allowance for 2018. The use of a urine bag does not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.