GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for loss of sense of smell and taste have been dismissed.,PTSD ratings in excess of 70 percent, GERD rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 30, 2022, and IBS with GERD rating in excess of 30 percent from June 30, 2022 onwards have been denied.,The Veteran's effective date for PTSD service connection has been remanded.,Hearing loss disability ratings have been remanded.,Service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have also been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and active service or exposure to herbicides and asbestos.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to their service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision is based on a finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether GERD was aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and GERD have been withdrawn. The appeal for sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and peripheral vestibular disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical spine arthritis, left knee limitation of flexion, and left knee limitation of extension have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a right knee disability has also been dismissed.,Service connection for GERD is granted as the Veteran's current diagnosis aligns with her reported onset in service. Service connection for lower back disability is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations regarding her service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left foot pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension and GERD are remanded due to concerns about the qualifications of the VA examiner who conducted the initial evaluations in 2018, as well as potential need for updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether GERD is proximately caused or aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder due to lack of evidence meeting specific criteria. The digestive disorder issue is now remanded for further development.,Additional medical literature submitted by the Veteran supports his claims for digestive disorders, including GERD and IBS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower gastrointestinal disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

Your claim for service connection for GERD has been granted in full, and the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's aortic condition is not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for asthma, diabetes mellitus, an eye disability, acid reflux, rectal bleeding, gout, herpes simplex 2, a right shoulder disability, and a left shoulder disability. The cervical spine issue is remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected GERD, finding that the severe reflux of GERD caused significant sleep disturbance and compromised health.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide agent exposure is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the possibility that the condition has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee scar is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for presbyopia is denied as refractive errors are not considered diseases or injuries under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia, acquired psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, skin disease, dental disability, hepatitis B, left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, microscopic hematuria, GERD, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's GERD developed during his second tour of deployment and has continued since this period. The Board granted service connection for GERD based on the continuity of symptoms.