GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD and low back disability due to insufficient medical opinions. The left and right knee disability increased rating claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, lumbosacral sprain (claimed as lower back condition), and trapezius strain (resolved without residuals) due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran is advised that VA will make additional efforts to assist him in developing his claims, including scheduling telehealth examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bile duct cancer, digestive disorder (claimed as acid reflux and IBS), and TMJ due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 4, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to comply with previous remand orders.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms, including LES spasms and GERD, are being remanded for additional development to address the onset of his symptoms during service and any connection to environmental exposures or medication provided while in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease was granted, and he is now service-connected for this condition. The appeals for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The appellant is the surviving spouse of the Veteran who served in active military from October 1962 to December 1964.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and brain lesion as these conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's GERD claim. The Veteran is not service connected for DM, bilateral upper neuropathy, or diabetic retinopathy, and there is no secondary service connection established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms have been rated at 10 percent since July 7, 2020.,Since September 12, 2019, the Veteran has been granted a rating of 30 percent for her systemic cold sensitivity due to hypothyroidism.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and GERD. The issues of initial increased ratings for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and a TDIU are being remanded.,The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending, with a need to obtain personnel records and determine active duty periods.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for hypertension is granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit under the PACT Act.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss as secondary to TBI is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss in the right ear is proximately due to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's groin condition with scar is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings.,The Veteran's cerebral hemangioblastoma residuals with scar are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a toxic exposure screening.,The Veteran's pancreatitis, GERD, and cervical spine disability are being remanded as they are intertwined with his cerebral hemangioblastoma claim on appeal.,The Veteran's OSA is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's lymph node condition is being remanded due to the need for a VA toxic exposure screening.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis, esophagitis, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's GERD and its relation to service. The examiner is asked to provide a detailed rationale for their opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete employment and income information provided by the Veteran. The Board requests clarification on his employment history and earnings since June 30, 2010.

The RO denied a separate non-compensable rating for hyperextension of LES, finding that the condition was part and parcel of GERD and did not warrant a separate evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including a right fifth finger disability, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD), lumbar spine condition, shifted pelvis, and neurological conditions of the upper and lower extremities. The AOJ is instructed to review this new evidence in their first instance.