GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues include increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, major depressive disorder, hiatal hernia with GERD, and a scar.

The Board denied service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia and IBS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not start during or are otherwise related to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his active service, including any potential exposure to toxic substances. The claims for hypertension, heart condition, skin condition, spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine, gastrointestinal disorders (GERD), colon polyps, and respiratory disorder are all remanded.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities and/or medication.,The Veteran's loss of use of a creative organ is granted based on service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for GERD is granted, but the effective date is denied due to lack of prior claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left calf disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current left calf disability other than his already service-connected left lower extremity neuritis with aggravated leg cramps. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 18, 2011, was also denied due to the fact that it is not factually ascertainable he became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during this period. His claim for TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities from July 18, 2011 onwards remains moot as his combined rating already meets the criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea, left foot disability, and back disability. The claims for service connection are related to secondary theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder impingement syndrome, seborrhea dermatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and costochondritis due to new evidence indicating that their severity may have worsened since their last examinations in March 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now considered. The Board has granted service connection for OSA, GERD, headaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, and throat disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disorder has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as 'digestion issues with acid reflux') has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease/hiatal hernia was denied because it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not etiologically related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's skin cancer claim was remanded due to the PACT Act requiring VA to provide an examination and medical opinion regarding its relationship to herbicide agent exposure.,The Board found that new evidence from the PACT Act required a de novo review of the skin cancer service connection claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and/or disabilities. Service connection is also granted for GERD, migraine headaches, TBI, neck disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of December 15, 2010, as the Board finds that he was unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities starting from this date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's service connection claim for a gastrointestinal disease, including GERD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his gastrointestinal issues and secondary service connection due to PTSD. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current gastrointestinal issues are related to his in-service symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and some other conditions due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and GERD due to a lack of VA examination and inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's exposure during service in Kuwait is considered, but further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, lumbar spine disability, and GERD due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service records show treatment for respiratory issues in service, but VA examiners have provided conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's CAD is granted a 100% rating effective September 15, 2015. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is mooted as part of the CAD claim. SMC at the housebound level is granted starting from January 3, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for central disc herniation at the L4-L5 level, persistent depressive disorder, and GERD have been reopened. However, the original decisions denying these conditions remain unchanged as there is no established causal link to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and OSA. The case is now before the Board again.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD; sleep disorder; lumbar spine disability; right lower extremity disability; left lower extremity disability; skin disability; right shoulder disability; left shoulder disability; bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; headaches; and dizziness. The Veteran's period of active service is not established as honorable.