GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastrointestinal and dizziness disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and remanded the issue of rating for duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, and gastritis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and GERD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding potential exposure to environmental hazards during his active-duty service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claims for higher ratings for migraines and pes planus. His claim for service connection for tinnitus, right AC separation, PTSD, and gastrointestinal disorder is granted with a 70% rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he is already receiving a combined 100% disability rating for his service-connected GERD, and the attorney has withdrawn the issue from further consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastritis, GERD, hypothyroidism, and laryngitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for temporomandibular joint syndrome, right side maxillary nerve damage, and right trigeminal nerve damage due to a conceded in-service facial injury. However, the Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of the in-service right-sided facial trauma other than the diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain this information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) as there is no persuasive evidence that GERD began during or was related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and right shoulder osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's GERD, decreased sexual drive, skin condition, and sleep apnea are remanded for further development to determine their relationship to service-connected conditions or exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for herpes simplex virus is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of an in-service onset.,Service connection for the Pfannenstiel incision (scar) associated with herpes simplex virus is also denied due to lack of a link between the scar and any service-connected disability or disease.,The Veteran's GERD is not rated higher than 10 percent as it does not meet criteria for more severe manifestations such as persistent epigastric distress, pyrosis, substernal pain, or arm/shoulder pain.,For thoracolumbar IVDS with arthritis prior to December 11, 2019, the Veteran's disability is rated at 10 percent due to limitations in range of motion and no additional functional loss during flare-ups.,From December 11, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's thoracolumbar IVDS with arthritis warrants a rating of 40 percent as it results in more severe limitation of motion than before.,Right hip arthritis is rated at 10 percent due to limited range of motion and ability to cross legs. Left hip arthritis is also rated at 10 percent for similar reasons.,Bilateral corneal dystrophy with dry eye syndrome does not warrant a compensable rating as it only results in visual acuity impairment up to 20/40 bilaterally.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy and sensorimotor neuropathy prior to December 11, 2019 is rated at 10 percent due to mild incomplete paralysis. From that date onwards, it warrants a rating of 20 percent for moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings are denied as the evidence does not support additional functional loss or impairment beyond what is already accounted for in her current disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, hip, and liver disorders, as well as hypertension, have been granted.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The AOJ will seek SSA records, arrange for a VA examination, and consider new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches and myopia have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examination.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for hypertension, an increased disability rating for service connected anemia in excess of 10 percent, and an increased disability rating for service connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board dismissed all service connection claims and rating determinations for various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board also remanded claims for sinusitis, an autoimmune condition (claimed as fibromyalgia), a respiratory disability, and OSA.

The Board has denied service connection for upper-gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, left shoulder disorder, right hand disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder as these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's death was due to cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to liver metastasis from gastroesophageal junction cancer, which is not service-connected as the condition did not manifest during or within one year of his active duty. The Board denied presumptive service connection for ischemic heart disease and spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Board has denied service connection for frostbite of the hands and feet, but has remanded issues related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and GERD. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo examinations regarding these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his acid reflux disorder and TDIU claim. The lumbar spine disability remains denied.