GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address secondary service connection claims, including those related to antibiotic medications used to treat service-connected respiratory and sinus conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain VA examinations regarding the onset of her psychiatric symptoms during service and whether GERD began in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for hiatal hernia, PTSD with nightmare disorder, and lumbosacral strain. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his GERD symptoms. The examiner is asked to provide an updated opinion on whether GERD is related to service, including consideration of secondary service connection.

Service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to back impairment is granted.,An initial rating of 30 percent, but no greater, for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted.

The appeal for service connection for a right hand disability is dismissed. The appeals for low back disability, chest pains, GERD, OSA, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability other than gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) manifested by symptoms like diarrhea or other abnormal bowel movements, finding the evidence against such a claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating from October 30, 2017. Other service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of hypothyroidism and GERD, and granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The appeal of the denial of service connection for cracked or broken teeth is dismissed. The claims for nerve damage of the left lower extremity, GERD, abdominal pain of the left upper quadrant (costochondritis), and right hip impingement are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been dismissed. The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is granted with a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for a TERA-specific examination under the PACT Act.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's current conditions had their onset during his military service.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, claimed as high blood pressure is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for loss of sensation, numbness, and weakness in the bilateral upper extremities is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic pain disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flatfeet is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for GERD is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a sinus disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an eye disability, claimed as dry eyes and allergies is granted.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection are being reopened, and the Board is remanding several issues including gastrointestinal disorders, lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, ED, sleep apnea, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including a lack of VA examination regarding the Veteran's ability to work prior to his incarceration in February 2013. The Veteran is service-connected for various disabilities and meets the schedular threshold for TDIU eligibility prior to February 2013. However, the Board found conflicting evidence on whether he could secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective date have been remanded due to the complexity of the medical issues involved.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, CFS, dysphagia, GERD, headaches, a heart condition, high blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, and neurological problems. The case is remanded for further action on the left ankle disability.,Service connection was not granted for skin issues as they were considered undiagnosed Gulf War symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracic spine conditions, right upper extremity radiculopathy, osteoarthritis of the great toes, gastrointestinal disability, Peyronie's disease, and erectile dysfunction. The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions, as well as whether there is a nexus between his service-connected disabilities and any other claimed conditions or exposures.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.,Service connection for left knee disability and left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to low back disability are granted.,TDIU is denied.