GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disorder is being remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbosacral strain is also being remanded.

The Veteran's GERD was granted an increased rating to 30 percent, effective from the date of the Board decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal prior to the decision being promulgated.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's nerve damage with chronic inflammation as a result of GERD is not rated higher than the current 60 percent assigned for GERD. The initial 30 percent rating for eosinophilic esophagitis has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a hernia and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for secondary service connection of GERD is being remanded.,There are no indications that the Veteran's hernia or sleep apnea were incurred during his active duty, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and his service.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS was granted service connection on a direct basis, and he is now entitled to a 10% disability rating for his pyrosis (acid reflux) and substernal pain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for GERD. The decision will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions and consideration of all relevant evidence.

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

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder and remanded the issue of earlier effective date for TDIU prior to September 6, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD on a presumptive basis due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War era.,Service connection was denied for hair loss, hiatal hernia, sleep apnea, and IBS as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to unspecified anxiety disorder, along with initial ratings for ankle and knee impairments. The Veteran's claims are now considered under a previous docket.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the left foot fourth metatarsal fracture, and service connection for herniated liver incarcerated surgery, left foot tendon, broken left hand, bilateral foot skin condition, stomach surgery, OSA, and GERD disabilities has been dismissed.,Service connection is granted for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 28, 2016, for the award of service connection for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, right knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss and GERD have been dismissed.,Effective January 28, 2016, an initial rating of 30 percent for GERD has been granted.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and obstructive sleep apnea, sleep hypopnea.,The Board also dismissed the claim of service connection for gastroenteritis. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of gastroenteritis during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has determined that there have been issues with the development of records and opinions related to the Veteran's claims for service connection. The GERD, OSA, headaches, and BXO claims are all remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice regarding military sexual trauma. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is related to his service, specifically participation in Toxic Exposure Risk Activity (TERA). The VA examination and medical opinion provided were deemed inadequate for rating purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia disorder is granted. The claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, essential tremor, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder) are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted as the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether it was caused by medication taken for his service-connected bilateral early onset peripheral neuropathy.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma is denied as there is no persuasive evidence that it manifested during service or within one year thereafter, and the available medical opinions do not support a link to in-service herbicide exposure.