GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is incurred in or caused by his active-duty service, including as due to his service-connected PTSD and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) to treat his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. As a result, the claim for service connection for GERD is granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and GERD claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a specialist.

The Veteran's GERD with residuals of exploratory laparotomy due to isolated ileus of mid small intestine has been assigned a 30 percent evaluation, the maximum evaluation authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7319. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2019, finding that he was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal disorder (GERD) resulted in the need for a feeding tube and multiple hospitalizations, necessitating his confinement to the home.,During the period between April 19, 2016, and May 14, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him housebound.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 60 percent for GERD from February 22, 2017.

The Veteran's gallbladder disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease are granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following reasons: 1) To obtain updated medical records to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected ulcerative colitis, GERD, and hiatal hernia disabilities; and 2) To schedule a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's ulcerative colitis, GERD, and hiatal hernia disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran developed additional disabilities as a result of his May 2012 hiatal hernia surgery, and whether these disabilities are caused by carelessness or negligence on VA's part.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, xeroderma of the hands, perforated duodenal ulcer (gastrointestinal disability), and GERD. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been granted. The claims for stomach condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status is denied as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or TDIU due to a single service-connected disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to lack of severe impairment in health.

The Veteran's appeals of the ratings assigned for his service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities, as well as associated neurological impairment, have been granted with effective dates of February 1, 2015. The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating assigned for his GERD with small intestine blockage and hiatal hernia has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD due to inadequate medical opinions and issues raised under Manlincon v. West, 12 Vet. App. 238 (1999).

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his service-connected gastrointestinal disability is granted, with an initial 60 percent rating assigned. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective from October 8, 2012. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his reported in-service stressors and the need for a new VA psychiatric examination.