GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, and hiatal hernia, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of secondary service connection of his stomach disability to his service-connected ankylostomiasis is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal hernia, ulcer, liver enzyme condition, and cholecystectomy due to failure to comply with prior remand orders. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle osteochondrosis dissecans and right ankle calcaneal spur are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for IBS and GERD, as well as service connection for OSA. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to assess his current disability levels and etiology.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's sliding hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux warrants a 10 percent rating based on symptoms such as pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, and substernal pain. A higher rating is denied.,Service connection for the low back disability was previously denied in a final May 2008 decision. The claim has been reopened due to new evidence received since then.,PTSD was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus service connection is denied.,Chronic fatigue syndrome was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection and rated at 10 percent. Service connection for hepatic steatosis was not severed, colitis claim reopened but denied, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome were both denied, TDIU was granted, and sleep apnea was granted.

Service connection is granted for IBS, GERD, migraine headaches (as secondary to IBS), right knee osteoarthritis (secondary to lumbar spine disability), and CFS (secondary to lumbar spine disability).,Service connection is denied for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be caused by his service-connected right ankle and low back disabilities, leading to a grant of service connection for GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo) as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The issue of service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, but the specific outcomes have not been determined yet.

The Board denied service connection for an upper spine disorder, acid reflux disease, and a respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are related to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to in-service events or diseases.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the evidence does not show that it warrants a higher rating.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since May 2016. The current audiometric testing shows no improvement in his hearing condition.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at a 30 percent rating, effective October 17, 2011. The claim for TDIU was denied as the combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for total disability.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are well-controlled by medication and do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hip and foot disabilities, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, hearing loss, vertigo, vision loss, hyperlipidemia, GERD, skin rashes, hand circulatory condition, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded this case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected right hand disability and its associated medication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, left foot, left elbow, and left knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran was also denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD and hiatal hernia is denied. The effective date of the 30 percent rating for GERD and hiatal hernia is set to July 25, 2018.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings, including those for low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, left elbow disability, GERD, allergic rhinitis, and TDIU. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from a facility in Panama Beach, Florida.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has also been remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's claims are not supported by current medical evidence.