GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in 1991, but new evidence has now been submitted to reopen the claim.,Service connection is granted for a posterior cruciate ligament injury of the right knee.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hysterectomy with recurring uterine fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding, depression secondary to PTSD, anemia secondary to kidney disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation and diarrhea, and pancreatitis with intermittent nausea and vomiting have all been granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for chronic gastritis, GERD, hiatal hernia, ulcer, liver enzyme condition, and cholecystectomy prior to November 1, 2018. The Veteran is denied a higher rating since that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent or higher for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus has been granted. Service connection for chronic sinusitis is also granted. The claims for increased evaluations above the current ratings for left shoulder osteoarthritis, allergic rhinitis, coronary artery atherosclerosis, hypertension, post-surgical right knee arthroscope, left ankle achilles tendonitis, hordeolum, macroglossia, scar, skin malignant melanoma, TBI, paresthesias, TMJ, and multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities have all been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disability of the feet, and the claim was denied on the basis that there is no evidence of a chronic foot condition during service or since. For his anxiety disorder with TBI, the Board determined that the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (DC 9413) should be used, resulting in a 50% rating.

The Veteran's GERD, gastritis, and duodenitis were found to have begun during her initial active duty for training in 1982. The Board granted service connection for these conditions as they are considered direct service-connected based on the evidence provided. However, the cervical spine disability and TDIU issues remain pending due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to his service-connected Barrett's esophagus with high grade dysplasia. The TDIU issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating and a rating in excess of 30 percent from October 29, 2021, for GERD was denied. The evidence did not meet the relevant diagnostic criteria under DC 7399-7346.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and procedural issues. A new secondary service connection opinion is needed based on accurate factual history, including consideration of all Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating for sinusitis was denied, and the Board found that a separate rating is granted for gastroesophageal symptoms. The issues of service connection for bladder/bowel impairment, dental disability, and thyroid disability are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD is service-connected as secondary to his Parkinson's disease. He received a 40% rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and an increased rating for his right ankle fracture residuals.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of esophageal disability, PTSD rating, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for inguinal hernia, right shoulder disorder, eye disorder, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (including GERD, hiatal hernia, esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and chronic gastritis/duodenitis), and low back disorder. The Board has also remanded these issues to obtain additional evidence and for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, stomach condition, left shoulder condition, and acquired psychiatric disability due to new evidence added to the record since the last Statements of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for a stomach disorder, including diverticulitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's digestive system disorder was due to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including hiatal hernia and GERD, are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's deviated septum is granted as service-connected. The issues of chronic cough, paresthesias of the right big toe, musculoligamentous strain of the left knee, multiple fractures of the left hand, multiple fractures of the right hand, and GERD are remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Veteran's claims for stomach disorder, digestive disorder, GERD, IBS, hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), degenerative arthritis, right foot arthritis, left foot arthritis, bone fractures, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, bilateral flat feet, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, right foot heel spurs, and left foot heel spurs are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and denied nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to August [REDACTED], 2017, finding that the Veteran's current digestive condition is not related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board also found that he was not unemployable due to permanent total disability as of August [REDACTED], 2017.

The Veteran's GERD disability is currently rated at the highest schedular rating of 60 percent, and there are no indications that an extraschedular rating is warranted.,The Veteran's eczema and keloid scars require further examination to determine appropriate ratings under both prior and current skin criteria.