GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder, including GERD, is being remanded due to the lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the origins of his claimed stomach symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with duodenal bulb scarring, but denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and prostate cancer due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to in-service exposure or service.

The Veteran's appeals for Traumatic Brain Injury and TDIU were dismissed due to the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeal.,The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a right knee disability, low back disability, gastric disorder, neck disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vascular disease, OSA, CHF, pulmonary hypertension, arteriosclerotic vascular disease, GERD, renal disease and/or failure, and hemosiderosis of the liver, as these conditions are not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, hypertension, heart disability, basal cell carcinoma, Graves' disease, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic dyspepsia/GERD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current GERD and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for COPD is granted, and the appeal is allowed in part. The claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, fatty liver disease, GERD, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple new and material evidence-based claims that require additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 18, 2018 for tinnitus is denied.,The claims for reopening of service connection for thyroid cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysm are granted.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for renal cancer, COPD, back injury with bilateral nerve impairment, acid reflux, IBS, left leg injury/muscle injury, right leg injury/muscle injury, shrapnel wounds on back and legs, disability of the sternum, soft tissue sarcoma, and diabetes mellitus type II are all denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted from January 18, 2018 to January 10, 2019 with a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD and in-service herbicide exposure caused his hypertension, heart disease, and heart failure which contributed to his death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed all issues due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including as due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, finding that there was no causal link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, acid reflux, and partial removal of colon due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal conditions due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to less than substantial compliance with prior remand instructions, specifically regarding a current examination and medical opinion on whether the Veteran's symptoms are productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, including as due to an undiagnosed illness and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination to address secondary service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted an increased rating to 20 percent, effective from February 1990 to May 1998.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a temporary increase in ratings up until April 26, 2016. After that date, the disability is rated at 40 percent for the period prior to June 2, 2020 and 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted a temporary increase in ratings up until June 2, 2020. After that date, the disability is rated at moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve (upper and middle radicular groups).,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted a temporary increase in ratings up until June 2, 2020. After that date, the disability is rated at moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve (upper and middle radicular groups).,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated as moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted a temporary increase in ratings up until May 21, 2018. After that date, the disability is rated at moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia has been established.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, including Barrett's Esophagus, throughout the appeal period.