GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder and schizoaffective disorder, depressive type; chronic sinus and allergy disability; obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB); right foot and left foot disabilities; right knee and left knee disabilities; and cervical spine disability have been granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a stomach disorder, finding that the Veteran's current stomach disorders were not caused by his military service.

The Board has received a request from the Veteran to withdraw all appeals regarding his PTSD, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete consideration of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of compliance with previous directives, including obtaining a dose estimate from the Under Secretary for Health. The case is now referred back to the VA Under Secretary for Health and then to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for hiatal hernia and gastrointestinal disability including GERD and umbilical hernia due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for asthma, head laceration scar, an acquired psychiatric disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for GERD and entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 7, 2019 due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disability (hiatal hernia and GERD), and anemia due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect legal standard used in a previous opinion, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted. The Veteran's bowel obstruction and GERD have also been remanded due to a need for updated VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD but denied service connection for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has determined that the medical opinions provided are insufficient to adjudicate the claims and requires additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection for various conditions, including polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), kidney condition, bilateral hip condition, thyroid condition, and gastrointestinal condition (GERD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastric chest pain and acid reflux disease, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's back and cervical spine disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or due to a known clinical diagnosis.,Service connection for GERD is granted, with the condition having manifested during active service. The claim for chronic pain throughout the body is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. He is now entitled to a 60% disability rating for GERD with Barrett's esophagus and hiatal hernia.,Service connection for tinnitus was established based on the Veteran's in-service noise exposure, and his current symptoms are considered at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for bladder disability due to withdrawal. The claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory condition, and GERD are all REMANDED due to new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD including depression and GERD due to inconsistencies in VA treatment notes and examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee meniscus tear and left carpal tunnel syndrome are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The right knee meniscus tear, hysterectomy residuals, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome issues are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a skin disorder other than urticaria. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted, and an increased disability rating of 30 percent for IBS and GERD is granted from February 17, 2011.