GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evaluations and lack of consideration of his extensive history of airborne training during active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The claim for hypertension is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and low back condition due to a lack of a statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to missing or presumed lost service treatment records, and a need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder, to include coronary artery disease (CAD), due to herbicide exposure. The gastrointestinal disorder case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as it found a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence and the current diagnosis of GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastroesophageal cancer, which is related to service. The case will be reviewed again with a new examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).,All four claims were reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for GERD due to exposure in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War, including consideration of aggravation by service-connected disability. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records will be considered along with an addendum medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations for her service-connected stomach disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disorder was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule, and there was no evidence of exceptional disability requiring extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and renal failure have been denied. The claim to reopen the stomach disability has been granted, but a new VA examination is needed as the previous one was inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for a disability manifested by a cough, diagnosed as chronic bronchitis, and for a bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to GERD, post-nasal drip, smoking, and diabetes mellitus.,Service connection was not granted because the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his service.

The appeal for service connection for arthritic pain of the right foot is dismissed. The issues of service connection for enteric nerve dysfunction and digestive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing service records and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), coronary artery disease (CAD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and the reopening of claims for chronic neurological disorder, muscle pain in hands, right foot, neck and shoulder, and sleep disturbances. The Veteran's claim for GERD was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities, digestive system disorder (IBS and GERD), hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate opinions in the June 2021 VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for the period prior to August 14, 2017. The decision is pending further development and review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA gastroenterologist to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms of reflux and heartburn since service, which is considered a diagnosed illness rather than a MUCMI. For the musculoskeletal issues (back arthritis, bilateral shoulder arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip strain), the claim was remanded for further development as the previous opinions were deemed inadequate.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted. The case is remanded for further development.