GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scars, hypertension, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of his follicular lymphoma, hyperlipidemia, GERD, dysphagia, and chronic fatigue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with a previous remand directive and insufficient evaluation of the Veteran's GERD.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, jaw disorder, and GI symptoms (IBS and GERD).,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

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

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100 percent, and he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, there is no evidence that any single service-connected condition prevents him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the rating reductions were not proper. The appeals are remanded to further develop evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and onychomycosis due to a need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his conditions, as well as retrospective evaluations to determine the nature and extent of systemic therapy used.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for COPD, acid reflux, and back injury with bilateral nerve impairment due to insufficient consideration of potential service connection.,Specifically, the VA is requested to obtain an etiology opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's COPD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should have been afforded a VA examination to determine the etiology of his right shoulder condition, hypertension, GERD, and IBS. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, diagnosed as peptic ulcer disease with acid reflux symptomatology, is at least in relative equipoise with his in-service gastrointestinal symptoms. Therefore, service connection for a gastrointestinal disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD disabilities due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining adequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for compensable ratings for service-connected headaches and GERD have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted a disability rating of 50 percent, the highest available under VA regulations. The gastroesophageal reflux disease remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his back disability, he is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,His right shoulder capsulitis is rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,His left shoulder capsulitis is rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right elbow limited extension, he is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right elbow impairment of supination and/or pronation, he is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,His GERD is rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right lower extremity radiculopathy, he is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's vertigo and back disorder were not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established. The Board denies these claims.,The Veteran's GERD is not secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability or related to an in-service injury or disease. The Board denies this claim.,The Veteran's headaches were not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology was not established, nor is there evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury or disease. The Board denies this claim.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right hand disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder were not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology was not established, nor is there evidence linking the current conditions to an in-service injury or disease. The Board denies these claims.,The Veteran's right knee disorder and left knee disorder were not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology was not established, nor is there evidence linking the current conditions to an in-service injury or disease. The Board denies these claims.,The Veteran's neck disorder was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology was not established, nor is there evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury or disease. The Board denies this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's GERD is presumed service-connected, but there are questions about its etiology and differentiation from IBS.

The Veteran's GERD and hypertension are found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability and PTSD.,Service connection is granted for GERD as a result of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's heart and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as a need for an opinion on whether his obesity is aggravated by his service-connected conditions.