GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disability (GERD and/or hiatal hernia), and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's GERD disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to a lack of recent examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues of increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, GERD, and hypopigmented lesions are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS is granted a 30 percent rating, and the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his service-connected PTSD prior to December 10, 2019; right foot fifth metatarsal fracture; hiatal hernia with GERD; erectile dysfunction; and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for additional opinions regarding the relationship between his nonservice-connected psychiatric disabilities and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Barrett's esophagus are granted a 60 percent rating effective November 22, 2022.,PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating from November 22, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asthma. The decision is based on medical opinions that support a causal relationship between these conditions and the service-connected asthma.

Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for GERD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, anemia, insomnia, diabetes mellitus type II, anal cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis of all joints, and left/right foot conditions are not related to her military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied. Service connection for GERD is granted, but the case is remanded to determine if OSA was caused or aggravated by PTSD and whether medications prescribed for PTSD aggravate OSA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's GERD, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for this rating. The Veteran had previously been rated at 10 percent and is now receiving the maximum benefit allowed by law.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran was granted service connection for nephrolithiasis, GERD, and hemorrhoids on November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 16, 2013. All service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection. The claims for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and PVD were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper and lower gastrointestinal disabilities, including gastritis, GERD, esophagitis, IBS, colon polyps, and diverticulosis, are service-connected as they began during his active service. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service symptoms and the VA examiner's consideration of these statements.

The Board has determined that the current VA examinations did not adequately address whether obesity is an 'intermediate step' between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed GERD. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Left Shoulder Disorder, GERD, and Hepatitis C due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS and diverticulitis has been granted an initial 30 percent evaluation, but no higher. The issue of service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD has been granted a disability evaluation of at least 30 percent, beginning April 25, 2018. However, the issue of entitlement to a higher disability evaluation for GERD is remanded due to outstanding VA and SSA records.