GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for colon cancer as secondary to his service-connected gastrectomy with dumping syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and B12 deficiency anemia due to insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during the Gulf War. Service connection is also granted for right and left knee disorders, as well as sleep apnea, based on in-service events. The Veteran's eczema and GERD are rated as they currently stand.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's digestive system disorder and her service-connected migraines, medications for PTSD with MDD, and other conditions. Additional development is needed to properly adjudicate this claim on a secondary basis.

The appeal for service connection for a deviated septum has been dismissed. The claims for low back disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sinusitis, GERD, narcolepsy with cataplexy, eczema, and PFB scars have all been reopened due to new evidence received since the final rating decisions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased evaluation due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains, gastroesophageal disease (GERD) with gastric ulcer, left tricep tendonitis, and cervical strain have all been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.,A separate rating was denied for each condition due to the Veteran's flexion and extension limitations not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Service connection for chronic inactive gastritis is denied as it is not related to service-connected GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current gastroesophageal condition, including GERD and Barrett's esophagus, is at least as likely as not related to episodes of upper abdominal pain, cough, and chest pain experienced during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for GERD is granted, and the appeal for pterygium is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities and diabetes mellitus. The rating for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, hiatal hernia, and IBS. The conditions are deemed to have started during active military service.

The Board dismissed all 34 issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims, except for the service connection for irritable bowel syndrome which was not appealed.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his service.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected right knee sprain. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension remains in a similar state.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and inguinal/ventral hernia due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset of these conditions in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and will require a new opinion from a gastroenterologist regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including GERD.

The Veteran's GERD and cervical spine degenerative arthritis were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings prior to August 19, 2022. The thoracolumbar strain was also found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating as of that date.,Further examination is needed to determine if there are any additional symptoms or functional limitations that warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple joint disabilities, do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to June 9, 2009, or since October 2, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to verify his service in the Ohio Air National Guard and determine if any periods of deployment were federal service. The claims for service connection will be reconsidered after this verification.