GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 14, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including lack of current diagnoses and medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxic substances during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and GERD, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for GERD. The issues are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and insufficient development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of active service.,The evidence reflects the Veteran's preexisting left knee condition underwent a permanent increase in severity beyond the natural progression during the Veteran's period of service. The right knee condition did not have onset during active service, was not caused by active service, and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of active service.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective December 22, 2021.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy remains at a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied.,An earlier effective date of December 22, 2021, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD is granted, and he receives a 50% rating for his tension headaches. His hearing loss claim is denied, and the skin disability issue remains pending with an increased rating sought.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for sinus disability, eye disability, left shoulder disability, gastroesophageal disability (heartburn), and skin disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development due to insufficient medical opinions addressing secondary service connection and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disorder, lumbosacral strain, and left knee disability due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for osteopenia has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD, both secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for OSA remains pending due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and obesity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for constipation, chronic sinusitis, and other conditions has been denied.,His initial rating for chronic sinusitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals related to the listed conditions and issues, effectively dismissing them.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been withdrawn by her authorized representative.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's lumbar spine and hiatal hernia with GERD disability claims, as the current VA examinations are inadequate in assessing the severity of his conditions during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, and the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.655(b) apply.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to sleep apnea and sarcoidosis is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, splenectomy as secondary to GERD, and left knee disability have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for GERD. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise that the Veteran's GERD is etiologically related to long-term use of NSAIDs used to treat his service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS and GERD is being remanded due to the submission of additional VA medical records. The AOJ will review these records before considering the merits of his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for gastritis, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as these conditions are found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected ulcerative colitis.