GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and assigned a 30% initial rating, effective February 8, 2013.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the claims of service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, GERD, and Type II diabetes mellitus. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for IBS with GERD was denied, and the issue of service connection for a respiratory condition (including chronic cough, COPD, and bronchitis) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities allowed him to qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning August 12, 2010. He also received special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his claimed joint pain, GERD, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded because of potential Gulf War Syndrome exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with hypertrophic gastritis prior to May 6, 2021, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show multiple small eroded or ulcerated areas, severe hemorrhages or large ulcerated or eroded areas, substernal or arm/shoulder pain, hematemesis, melena, material weight loss, or symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for right orchiectomy was granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a 30 percent rating due to erectile dysfunction and nonfunctioning left testis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for GERD, seizure disorder, and hypertension. The dental disability case is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and alcohol use disorder are found to be the proximate cause of his obstructive sleep apnea. The Board also finds that these conditions may have contributed to his hypertension and GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and radiculopathy in both legs, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has referred several service connection claims for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including heart disorder, encephalitis, GERD, pulmonary disorder, hypoxia, and prostate disorder. These claims are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and need further evaluation by VA medical experts.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches, finding that there was no medical evidence linking the GERD to the treatment of his headaches.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, respiratory disorder (other than sleep apnea), bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected back and heart disabilities from August 25, 2014, to March 21, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 11, 2015 due to insufficient medical opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Môniére's disease. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between service and current tinnitus.,The GERD claim is remanded as there are insufficient opinions on whether the condition pre-existed service or was aggravated by service.,The migraines claim is remanded because the examiner did not consider the Veteran's contentions of stress and anxiety, nor provide an adequate aggravation opinion.,The facial tics claim is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between service and current symptoms.,The left lower extremity numbness and tingling claim is remanded as there are insufficient opinions on whether the condition pre-existed service or was aggravated by service.,The right lower extremity numbness claim is also remanded for similar reasons.,The acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between service and current symptoms.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating to 30 percent based on persistent chest pain and other symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, sleep apnea, back condition, left thigh condition, and left knee condition due to inadequate medical examination and lack of substantial compliance with May 2022 remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee, left knee, cervical spine disorder, CFS, right fingers, left fingers, right hip, left hip, lumbar spine disorder, right wrist, left wrist, left leg, right shoulder, left lower extremity sciatic nerve disorder, burns of the right tibia/fibula, and GERD disorders due to incomplete service treatment records and lack of confirmation of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).