GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for GERD, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE radiculopathy is dismissed. The Board also remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for rhinitis, sinusitis, cervical strain, left ankle arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral foot hallux valgus and rigidus have been granted. However, the effective dates for GERD, left foot hallux valgus and rigidus, and right foot hallux valgus and rigidus are denied as they were not filed within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's claim for angina was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a joint pain disability and an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis and lumbar muscle spasm has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for GERD has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus the TDIU on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran's peripheral retinal degeneration - lattice disability is granted as service-connected. The gastrointestinal disabilities (gastritis, GERD, and esophagitis) are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to service or burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with GERD is rated at 60 percent, effective from April 17, 2012. The rating reflects severe impairment of health due to symptoms such as pain, vomiting, weight loss, and melena.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD began during his service in the Marine Corps and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss rating was restored to 20 percent effective October 22, 2019.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and GERD with hiatal hernia and esophagitis are service-connected. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of GERD, and the Board dismissed this issue as a result.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection on a direct basis, with the condition having its onset during active duty.,VA compensation for a back disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to pending issues.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms are not productive of considerable impairment of health, and a higher rating is denied.,Prior to August 19, 2016, there was no formal claim for an increased rating for back disability or left shoulder disability. The increase in severity of the disabilities was not factually ascertainable in the one year prior to August 19, 2016.,The Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities have worsened since his last examination in 2016, and current examinations are needed before adjudicating these increased rating claims.,Lumbar spine disability: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Left shoulder disability: The matter is denied as the Veteran's claim was not received within one year of a prior decision.,Left knee instability: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Left knee degenerative arthritis manifested by limitation of extension: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.,Right knee degenerative arthritis: The matter is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including GERD and tension headaches, are granted with a 30 percent rating. Service connection is established for allergic rhinitis, maxillary sinusitis (chronic sinusitis), functional abdominal pain syndrome with abdominal pain/bloating, respiratory insufficiency with dyspnea, and restless leg syndrome.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of GERD, so the case is dismissed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left total knee replacements, but granted SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development regarding service connection claims for right hip disorder and bilateral knee disorder, as they are secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain. The Board will not make a decision on the increased rating claim for GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective March 10, 2021, the Veteran is granted a TDIU rating of 100%.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for multiple sclerosis and the issue of increasing the disability rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claims are being returned to the Board due to inadequate prior VA opinions regarding the etiology of MS.