GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headache disability, diabetes, and hypertension were denied. The claim for GERD was granted with a rating of 60 percent but no higher.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including Barrett's esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran experienced symptoms of reflux during service and these symptoms have persisted since exiting from service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, vision problems, and dyshidrotic eczema. The Veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to his military service.,For GERD, the Board also denied an initial compensable evaluation prior to March 12, 2020, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on symptoms of persistent reflux and other associated issues.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, previously rated at 50 percent, is now granted a rating of 70 percent effective November 21, 2017.,Service connection for a back disability is remanded due to lack of compliance with the Board's previous directives.,The Veteran's GERD remains rated at 10 percent.

Service connection for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, neck impairment, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction has been granted.,Service connection for back impairment, left knee impairment, right knee impairment, and psychiatric impairment has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the Board finds that she is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD, allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, migraine headaches, back disability, and sleep apnea are all granted. The claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a back disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to conceded herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for GERD and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher staged ratings for other specified depressive disorder, migraine headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to procedural issues. The AOJ will review the newly-obtained evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, constipation, and diarrhea. The decision finds that his symptoms began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability to include as secondary to service-connected back disability is denied due to lack of a nexus between the knee condition and service.

A 30 percent rating for GERD is granted. The claim for a higher rating for rhinitis prior to January 8, 2020 and until May 3, 2023 is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Higher ratings are granted for right knee meniscal tear/patellar chondromalacia, right thigh strain (limitation of extension), and right thigh strain (limitation of flexion). The claims for service connection regarding left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left thigh strain are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for a right great toe disability. The issues of service connection for lower back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, asbestosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are also being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if GERD is related to the Veteran's military service, particularly his exposure to heavy atmospheric smoke during deployments in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded both the tinnitus and GERD/IBS claims, indicating that evidence not considered in the original decision may be relevant to these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy (left hip), left hip disability, left ankle disability, and left foot disability are all granted. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained full-time employment throughout the appeal period. The Board denied his claim for TDIU because he is able to maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that additional development is required, including VA examinations and a review of her medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to tend to basic functions of self-care and required the regular aid and attendance of another individual, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is moot due to the inclusion of this benefit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for panic disorder, GERD, and service connection for a right knee condition due to outstanding private treatment records not being obtained. The issues remain in appellate status.