GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and GERD are being remanded for further evaluation due to the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypertension due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as whether his sleep apnea is related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) during service. The claims for higher evaluations and service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of supporting evidence for the Veteran's claim that his GERD is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, including as a side effect of medications used for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a skin disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The right knee disability was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar myositis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 7, 2021.

The Veteran's sleep related breathing disorder with CPAP, also diagnosed as obstructive sleep apnea, is granted. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and GERD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to potential secondary service connection, but did not specify any exposure basis or rating assigned.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent and 30 percent for his service-connected conditions prior to the specified dates.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board finds that her current diagnosis of sleep apnea is related to her service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset in service or relation to service exposure.

The Board has remanded the previously denied claims for service connection due to a liberalizing law that requires VA to adjudicate these claims without needing new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and outstanding medical records have not been properly addressed, and thus these matters are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to blood in stool, anemia, and their relation to the service-connected GERD/ulcer disorder.

The Veteran's right ulnar nerve impingement is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, left middle finger disability, hiatal hernia with GERD, spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, and left ankle disability are all granted increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to her active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and GERD, finding no evidence of such condition during service or that it is related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability. The Board also found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to noise in service, thus denying presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the VA standards for a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for sleep condition other than obstructive sleep apnea, chronic headaches, lower back condition, bilateral knee condition, skin condition, and stomach condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions in previous examinations.,Further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for GERD, including hiatal hernia with esophageal spasms, from January 23, 2013 is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence. The case will be readjudicated and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) will be provided.