GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD, and dysphagia due to inadequate examination opinions. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service or toxic exposures.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD and sliding hiatal hernia is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher, beginning October 2, 2017. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not rated compensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for GERD, IBS, bladder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disability are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn, and no new evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied claim. The Board found that the additional evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The appeal is denied as the reduction in rating of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from 100% to 0% effective June 1, 2018 was proper by operation of law. Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on and after June 1, 2018 is denied.

Service connection has been granted for bipolar disorder, left hip impairment, right hip impairment, cervical spine injury, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, tinnitus, voiding dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction.,Effective dates have been assigned for service connection based on the filing of a VA 21-0966 Intent to File within one year of May 7, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease and a heart disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship with service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to her case file since the last decision.

The Veteran's headache condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board is remanding several claims due to incomplete development and the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current heart conditions, including CAD (congestive heart failure), and his active service at Camp LeJeune. The issues of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hiatal hernia, coronary artery bypass, arteriosclerotic heart disease, gout, GERD, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded as they rely on the outcome of the congestive heart failure claim.

The Board has found that remand is necessary for a new VA examination due to the Veteran's claims of worsening and the lack of recent medical records. Additionally, a separate claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is warranted.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including PTSD, GERD, arthritis degenerative, and a heart disability. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for coronary artery bypass surgery is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU for his right ankle disability have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, right ankle scars, and right carpal tunnel syndrome have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's GERD was rated by analogy to Diagnostic Code 7346, resulting in a 10 percent rating. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher 30 percent evaluation under DC 7346. For the left shoulder disability, the Board remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review. The issues of service connection for allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left foot disability, and hyperglycemia are all on remand.

The Veteran's GERD is at least reflective of symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health, warranting a 30 percent initial rating throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his GERD requires remand to obtain updated medical records and contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for GERD with esophagitis, patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees, and residuals of osteoplasty have been withdrawn. The application to reopen her claim of service connection for breast cancer residuals has been granted, as well as her claim of service connection for IBS.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, cataracts, kidney stones, diabetes adult onset, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, GERD, renal disease, and arthritis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date has been withdrawn.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, but further review is needed before a decision can be made.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a neck disability remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains pending and requires additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal condition. The Veteran needs to provide his personnel records and a new VA examination is required.