GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

A 60 percent disability rating for IBS with GERD, effective October 30, 2015, is granted.,A separate 10 percent disability rating for internal hemorrhoids, also effective October 30, 2015, is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the gastrointestinal disability and left shoulder disability claims, including obtaining medical opinions to address service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including his service connection claims and exposure history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including photophobia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lung condition, GERD, arthritis, hip and knee conditions, sexual arousal disorder, and Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain missing VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, and a low back disability are all being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and secondary to the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, as well as TDIU prior to May 7, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and an increased rating for lumbar spine disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right calcaneal spur is granted service connection. The claims for left ankle, right ankle, and left little finger disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has found the previous VA examination opinion inadequate and remanded for an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities are related to his service. The case is being returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing the record to a VA clinician.

The Veteran's respiratory disability (other than allergic rhinitis) and throat disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Joint pain, foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, fatigue with light headedness, eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and schizophrenia) are all pending further examination and/or opinion.

The Veteran's GERD with duodenitis, chronic strain and DJD of the left shoulder, left wrist scaphoid fracture ORIF with residuals, DJD and DDD of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, onychomycosis (fungus infection of the feet), and hypertension have all been denied.,The Veteran's disability ratings for GERD with duodenitis, chronic strain and DJD of the left shoulder, left wrist scaphoid fracture ORIF with residuals, DJD and DDD of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, onychomycosis (fungus infection of the feet), and hypertension have all been denied.,The Veteran's disability ratings for GERD with duodenitis, chronic strain and DJD of the left shoulder, left wrist scaphoid fracture ORIF with residuals, DJD and DDD of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, onychomycosis (fungus infection of the feet), and hypertension have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that more development is needed before a decision can be made on these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was initially denied, but granted after June 25, 2018 and October 3, 2019.,For the periods prior to June 25, 2018 and from October 3, 2019, an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate examination and medical opinion for the Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD.

The Board denied service connection for brain tumor, heart disorder, swelling of the right leg, swelling of the left leg, swelling of the right foot, swelling of the left foot, acid reflux, neck disorder, speech loss, and physical limitations as there is no evidence showing these conditions began during or are related to active duty.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have exposure to herbicides while aboard USS Coral Sea, which was outside the 12-mile threshold of Vietnam. The medical records do not show any treatment for these conditions within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and hypertension, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to March 24, 2015. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD have been found to meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating throughout the entire period on appeal prior to August 25, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for cardiovascular disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, arthralgias, and low back disability have been granted. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's conditions clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service but were aggravated by military service.