GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that these conditions are caused by the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and records, requiring a new evaluation without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, GERD, and residuals of prostate cancer due to a lack of formal findings regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents or napalm. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any current disability manifested by gastroesophageal distress, including gastroenteritis and/or GERD. A new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's symptoms are related to service or a functional gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus was not shown during service and the weight of evidence does not support its onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of hyperlipidemia. The Board found that hyperlipidemia does not constitute a disability for VA benefits purposes.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of decision. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for OSA and GERD due to a lack of an examination addressing whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's GERD is granted an initial rating of 30 percent.,The Veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine is granted a rating of 20 percent, effective November 30, 2020.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is denied any increase in rating beyond 10 percent.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is denied any increase in rating.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and osteoarthritis in the left great toe. The stomach disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence of direct service connection.

Your service connection claims for sleep apnea and acid reflux have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as there are no unresolved issues.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar osteoarthritis and osteopenia, finding that the current GERD is proximately due to the medications used to treat his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's Bilateral Hearing Loss is not compensably rated prior to July 13, 2022.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent effective November 8, 2021.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for GERD prior to December 29, 2014, finding that the Veteran did not exhibit two or more symptoms for a 30 percent evaluation of less severity at any time prior to this date.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding it was incurred during service due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam and granting it under the PACT Act of 2022. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's asthma, allergies (including sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), and GERD have been granted service connection. The Veteran's joint pain is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for Parkinsonian tremors, throat disability (including strep throat), esophageal disability (including gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal erosions, residuals of Zenker's diverticulum, and esophageal dysmotility), right-ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran was not provided with all relevant treatment records from the 1980s and his private medical providers' records are missing. Additionally, the VA examinations were inadequate in addressing the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome and a stomach condition other than GERD have been denied as there is no current disability.,For the right knee, left knee, and bilateral hearing loss issues, the case has been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to March 2, 2020. However, due to his consistent contention of being unable to work since 2011 and the evidence showing he was capable of maintaining substantially gainful employment despite not meeting the schedular requirement, a remand is required to refer the matter to the VA Director of Compensation Services for an extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for GERD are being remanded.