GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA are dismissed as the AOJ has already granted these benefits with an effective date of June 3, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for fatty liver, right eye macular degeneration with cataracts, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rosacea, and malignant melanoma. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's GERD was not productive of considerable impairment of health prior to June 10, 2020. Beginning June 10, 2020, the Veteran's GERD manifested symptoms that were productive of considerable impairment of health but did not more nearly approximate a combination of symptoms productive of severe impairment of health.,The Veteran's hypogonadism has not manifested atrophy of the testes during the period on appeal. The right foot calcaneal spur manifested symptoms including pain, and did not manifest symptoms greater in severity than moderate.

The Veteran's GERD, including hiatal hernia, is rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal due to symptoms of persistently recurring epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal pain.

The Veteran's Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for GERD with Barrett's esophagitis and esophageal spasm required at least one month of convalescence, meeting the criteria for a temporary total disability rating (100%). The Board found that the surgery was appropriate treatment for his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's chest pain, which is currently service-connected. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to February 24, 2020.,The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied due to the average puretone threshold being at Level II (noncompensable).,Service connection for esophageal disorder and IBS were denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, respiratory disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder were granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for a respiratory disability (originally claimed as sarcoidosis) was reopened, but the service connection for COPD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's left hip strain is caused by his service-connected radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The Board finds that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet are caused or aggravated by his service-connected ankles.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for GERD and service connection for PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to service connection for left leg blood clots. Service connection is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 28, 2019. The evidence did not support a finding that GERD was related to service.

The Veteran's GERD and hypertension are granted as secondary to service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The appeal for migraines is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including consideration of newly-obtained service records and medical opinions. The appellant's current hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For other conditions, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support their onset in service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to his service-connected chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, including a request for an earlier effective date. The Board has determined that these matters require further action.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including depression, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, jaw disability, GERD, IBS, and tension headaches. The records will be sought to provide more information on these claims.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a low back condition is denied.,The claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and left ankle conditions are remanded.,The claim for service connection for acid reflux (GERD) is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms have been remanded for further development to determine the appropriate rating and effective date.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety, eosinophilic esophagitis with GERD, liver disease, hyperlipidemia and left bundle branch block (claimed as heart disease), and PTSD due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims are not supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors.