GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an esophageal condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his in-service exposure and his current conditions.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for GERD with IBS and Migraine Headaches have been granted at a 30% level. The appeal for increased ratings on these conditions remains pending, as well as the appeals for left knee strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, flexion deformity of proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) of right little finger, and service connection for traumatic brain injury and associated residuals.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the severity and frequency of the Veteran's hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) disability.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease with rectal sparing, GERD, and erosive gastritis is rated at 60 percent effective as of April 26, 2016. A TDIU was granted from August 1, 2009, to October 3, 2010, and again from April 15, 2011, to June 25, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disability, GERD, and OSA due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of symptoms in service and their relationship to his military service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's symptoms are productive of severe impairment of health.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss and granted service connection for GERD as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The claims for IBS, OSA, and increased rating for residuals of fractures of right fibula and right ankle with degenerative and posttraumatic arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for GERD with chronic constipation remains at 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DCs 7319 and 7346.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injury or disease.,The Board found no credible evidence of noise exposure leading to hearing loss and tinnitus, and noted inconsistent statements regarding onset. The Veteran's service records showed normal hearing at separation.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 13, 2014 was denied as there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including residuals of a fracture and surgical procedure, was initially rated as noncompensable prior to July 31, 2019. The Veteran is now entitled to an initial compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's GERD was initially rated as noncompensable prior to July 31, 2019. The Veteran is now entitled to an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's GERD.

The application to reopen the claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disability and right arm disability is granted. The application to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral degenerative changes of the hands and right knee arthritis is also granted.,The Veteran's current gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, may be related to his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder or due to medications taken for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his right and left knee disabilities, lumbar spine disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). The case will be returned to the Board after the requested development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Barrett's Esophagus and GERD, including as secondary to Type 2 diabetes mellitus due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion on whether his upper GI conditions are aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.,Service connection for GERD, hiatal hernia, and skin condition (eczema) to include chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to incomplete or inadequate opinions in the current VA examinations.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is also remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hearing loss and tinnitus, GERD, and his right foot and ankle injury. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, undergo medical examinations for his hearing loss and tinnitus, GERD, and right foot and ankle injury, and complete a TDIU application form.