GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

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

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, right ankle sprain, right wrist sprain, left lower extremity varicose veins, lumbar spine condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and tension headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disorder and a duodenal ulcer with GERD have been denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's TDIU claim, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, lower back disorders, and sciatic nerve disorders are remanded.,An evaluation in excess of 30 percent for duodenal ulcer with GERD is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including those related to lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, skin disorder, sinusitis, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including considering potential exposure to toxic substances and addressing the relationship between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases of increased ratings for GERD and TBI due to new evidence, including VA examinations in October and November 2023. The Veteran's representative requested information about the examiners who performed these exams, and a remand is needed to allow for this information to be provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, lower back disability, erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities have been reopened. The claims are granted.,Service connection is established for migraine headaches as secondary to a service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed and depressed mood; for a lower back disability due to active duty service; for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed and depressed mood; and for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities due to active duty service.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and GERD were productive of severe impairment of health prior to November 17, 2016. From that date, the Veteran is in receipt of the maximum schedular disability rating for her service-connected hiatal hernia and GERD.,The Board found a 60 percent disability rating was warranted for the period prior to November 17, 2016 based on symptoms such as severe impairment of health. From that date onwards, the Veteran is in receipt of the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension (HTN) has been granted. Service connection is also granted for GERD, but only under the PACT Act.,Service connection for HTN and related conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence on the etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and GERD. The Veteran was awarded ratings of 20%, 50%, 30%, and 30% respectively.

Service connection is granted for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pericarditis was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,The Veteran's rhinitis condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 6522 during the appellate period.,The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it did not warrant a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), low back disability, and sinusitis have been denied. The claim for chronic headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The issues of service connection for CHF, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral eye disability, GERD, and skin moles are remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for a neurological issue manifested by dizziness is granted as it is considered an undiagnosed Gulf War illness.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and cause of the Veteran's acid reflux, specifically whether it is related to service exposure to burn pits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea, including whether it is related to GERD or a combination of service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim prior to December 26, 2019, remains remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple Gulf War exposure-related conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia, and for further consideration of her TDIU claim.