GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disability is granted. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the proper adjudication of this and other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The issues include service connection for inguinal hernia, right shoulder disorder, eye disorder, heart disorder, GERD, and low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, chronic headache disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral eye disability due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, migraine headaches, chronic sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted service connection. However, the initial ratings for asthma, migraine headaches, chronic sinusitis, and GERD are being remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma with chronic bronchitis and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 13, 2022.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, evaluation of lumbosacral strain and cervical strain with degenerative disease, and TDIU. The issues include secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at a 10 percent disability rating, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's psychiatric disability is remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder with anxious stress, is granted. The most probative evidence indicates that this condition first manifested during active duty.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted. The Veteran's current condition is found to be caused by his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious stress.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination regarding his claimed conditions related to toxic exposure.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU prior to March 3, 2018. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU from March 3, 2018 for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective June 26, 2020. The other conditions and issues were either denied or had their ratings unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including gastrointestinal, skin, sinusitis, rhinitis, headache, and obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete medical opinions in the November 2022 VA examination reports. The issues are being returned for further clarification of the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury. The claims for hypertension and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus, finding that it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a disability of the cervical spine is granted. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his duties as a KC-135 refueling boom operator during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for gastroesophageal disability, including GERD, as secondary to a service-connected condition. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the predominant disability and the severity of the service-connected IBS and GERD disabilities. The Veteran's esophagitis secondary to his service-connected GERD is also under consideration.

The Veteran's ratings for GERD and cervical spine strain were restored to their prior levels of 30 percent, effective January 1, 2019.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a breathing condition is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the reopening of the claim. However, the rating for GERD remains remanded due to possible worsening, and other claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is granted an initial 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for cervical strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are denied prior to October 19, 2021, but granted thereafter. Separate ratings for left hip bursitis and patellar instability associated with left knee degenerative arthritis are granted effective from October 19, 2021. The rating for right knee bipartite patella with discoid medial meniscus is granted a separate 20 percent rating as of January 28, 2022.