GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for GERD, right kidney condition, and macular degeneration have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for colon cancer and artery disability due to exposure to herbicide agents and/or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, history of ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome/spastic colon, and recurrent bladder infection for additional development. Service connection is not granted for respiratory asthma.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and first MP joint bunion, chronic left hip strain, chronic right hip strain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral foot gout. The remand includes obtaining additional medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's GERD and Diverticulosis are granted service connection as the evidence is in approximate balance.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include tuberculosis, is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted.,The Veteran's claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, and GERD were denied due to lack of a causal relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bladder disability is granted service connection, and the reduction in his GERD rating from 10% to 0% is restored.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD disability had its onset in service and continues to exist, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as osteoarthritis) and lupus are remanded due to the need for additional development.,PTSD, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, anemia secondary to lupus, low white blood cell count secondary to lupus, hypertension secondary to lupus, gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to service-connected hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, undifferentiated facial dermatitis, left foot pes planus with fasciitis, and TDIU are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's SMC claim for aid and attendance is denied due to her service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria. The TDIU claim on an extra-schedular basis remains pending as remanded.

The Board has found that the claims for right knee, left knee, bilateral foot, indigestion (GERD and functional gastrointestinal disorder), and low back disabilities must be considered on their merits due to additional relevant service records being added after the initial denial. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7346 for persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), pyrosis (heartburn), and regurgitation. The symptoms include substernal or arm/shoulder pain causing considerable impairment of health.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient opinions regarding their service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for GERD and allergic rhinitis, as well as his claim for service connection for sinusitis, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing these issues. The case is remanded for initial review of new evidence by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral hernias have been dismissed. The previously denied claims of service connection for DJD of the thoracic/lumbar spine, bilateral knees, prostatitis, and GERD have been reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for DJD of the thoracic/lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to non-compliance with a previous remand. A TERA examination is required for GERD, skin rash, and hypertension as they may be related to toxic exposure risk activities during service.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for a left knee disorder and a stomach disorder have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including knee disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his education and work history.