GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to April 15, 2011 did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified anxiety disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the former are granted. The initial ratings of 20 percent, but no greater, for left ankle strain and right ankle strain are also granted. However, the claim for an increased rating for right knee impairment is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of GERD was granted effective August 31, 2019. An earlier effective date is also granted for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's GERD, back disorder, and shin splints are granted as service-connected. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise that these conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reconsidered with new evidence and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD (gastric ulcer) have been granted. The appeals for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are denied. The appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's disabilities are related to his service-connected conditions or if they were caused by other factors. The claims will be returned after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) did not have its onset during service or for many years thereafter, and is not causally related to an in-service disease or injury. The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to environmental hazards such as non-ionizing radiation, coolanol, freon, or methyl ethyl ketone that could cause GERD.

Service connection has been granted for PTSD, MDD, and CFS.,Right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's GERD is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of considerable impairment of health due to his GERD, and thus denies an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. For his thoracolumbar condition (low back disability) and cervical strain, the Veteran's claim is remanded for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and additional evidentiary development is required, including a VA examination for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for intestinal and esophageal disabilities, as well as benign prostatic hypertrophy. The reasons include a need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to the Veteran's exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for GERD and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea/sleep disturbances, including as secondary to GERD due to a duty-to-assist error.

Service connection for PFB is granted.,The claim of service connection for GERD is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and colon cancer as secondary to GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic constipation and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA must obtain additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, specifically whether they are related to his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as service connection due to a current disability that began during active service.,Service connection for colitis and stomach disability are denied as the evidence does not support an in-service onset or relationship to service.,Headaches are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) program is remanded due to insufficient information from the retired pay center and DFAS records. The AOJ must provide a detailed review of the Veteran's compensation award, specifically for the period prior to April 1, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for an undiagnosed gastroesophageal illness manifested as difficulty swallowing, finding that the Veteran's condition is due to an undiagnosed illness presumptively related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.