GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeal due to the grant of maximum ratings for his service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis and dermatitis of the scalp, claimed as a head fungus, are granted. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and bilateral shin splints remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scarring on the axilla, GERD, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity have been denied.,A rating in excess of 10% is not warranted for scarring on the axilla prior to March 27, 2019 or thereafter. The Veteran's GERD remains rated at 10%. A 20% rating is assigned for peripheral neuropathy of the RUE from April 19, 2016 onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone supports an award of total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability, and his other service-connected disabilities combined exceed a 60% rating. Therefore, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted for the purpose of accrued benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle and knee conditions, sinusitis, IBS, gastritis, and GERD due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to March 26, 2021, and greater than 10 percent thereafter for gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease is remanded, and the claim for a low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is at least as likely as not related to his in-service complaints of gastritis, heartburn, indigestion, and stomach trouble. As such, service connection for GERD is granted.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection, and the claims for increased evaluations of sinusitis with headaches, right ear hearing loss, and a right foot disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis), right ear hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (claimed as intestinal condition) is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased disability ratings are all set to June 21, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, skin disorder, and GERD. However, these claims are still remanded as new VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, effective from December 2, 2013. Service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's essential tremor is granted a 30 percent rating, and his TBI residuals with PTSD are granted a 50 percent rating prior to August 10, 2020. The remaining conditions have either not been rated or were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether GERD is secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted as service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cough and right knee pain are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, status post spinal fusion, was dismissed. The claim of residuals of head trauma (claimed as dental trauma) has been reopened and is currently under consideration. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroenteritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respiratory disorder (recurrent aspiration pneumonia), cardiac disorder (atherosclerosis), acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of head trauma, facial scars, bilateral eye disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder (tendinitis), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded for further review.