GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a stomach disability, including GERD, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and helicobacter pylori, both of which are found to have begun during active service.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or perform substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for an increased rating for gastrointestinal disorder and a remand for further examination regarding service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, left shoulder, and GERD conditions due to inadequate VA examinations in previous years. The case is now being sent back for new evaluations.

The Board has ordered further development due to the lack of Air Force Reserve service records. The Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disorder, headaches, arthritis, and syphilis are still pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from May 18, 2016 is granted. The issue of TDIU prior to May 18, 2016 is remanded for further review by the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Veteran's appeals for depression, feet problems (gout), and gastroesophageal reflux disease were dismissed. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the August 1992 rating decision. Service connection is granted for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances, and fibromyalgia (claimed as weakened stability in upper and lower extremities and painful joints). The Veteran's claim of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae scars on the face was denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or relationship to service. The claims for scar of the right hip, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot were granted as they are considered direct service connection cases.,The Veteran's GERD is considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected stomach disability is granted secondary to his service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder disability is denied prior to April 27, 2019. From that date onwards, a 30 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his hiatal hernia/GERD and nasal/sinus disorder.

The Veteran's GERD and migraines have been granted increased ratings. The lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD. The Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending and will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as service-connected, with the Board resolving doubt in favor of the appellant.,A compensable rating for a skin condition prior to December 30, 2020 is denied. From December 30, 2020, a 60 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that it occurred during his period of active duty service and is not due to exposure to burn pits. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee tendonitis is dismissed.,Service connection for a brain disability is granted, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran.,An initial 30 percent rating for GERD with chronic liver disease is granted for the entire period on appeal.,Prior to January 25, 2012, an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted. From December 26, 2017 and thereafter, a 50 percent rating is granted.,The Veteran's right knee scars are not painful, unstable, or have covered 144 square inches (929 sq. com.) or greater.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as service connected, and the cervical spine disability issue is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to be of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment. The Board denied the claim for TDIU because the Veteran has consistently engaged in substantial gainful employment throughout the relevant period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that her current diagnosis of GERD is not related to her military service.