GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected migraines and GERD due to insufficient consideration of the ameliorative effects of medications in determining their severity.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal condition (GERD), cervical condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are all denied. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's tinnitus as it manifested within one year of his separation from active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of thoracolumbar strain, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and PTSD with major depressive disorder (MDD) have been denied. The most recent evaluation for thoracolumbar strain is 40 percent disabling, while the other conditions remain at their initial evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his June 2022 VA Form 9 was not timely filed, more than one year after the original rating decision and more than 60 days after the SOC.

The Veteran's claim for high cholesterol is denied as it is not a disability eligible for service connection.,The Veteran's claims for right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower extremity nerve disabilities are remanded due to the need for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent disability rating from April 25, 2021 onwards. The appeal for service connection of sleep apnea and right shoulder disability remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of acid reflux disorder, bowel disorder, alopecia, and endometriosis due to new and material evidence. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal conditions have been granted based on chronic wear and tear in service.,Bilateral hearing loss was not established for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as both conditions are found to have begun during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for GERD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the cause of his claimed gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting and heartburn (GERD), as well as constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping (IBS). Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for migraine headaches and IBS/GERD with hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The appeal of the GERD claim is dismissed as moot because a March 2023 rating decision granted service connection for GERD effective August 10, 2022.,The tinnitus claim has been reopened and granted. Service connection for tinnitus is established based on in-service noise exposure and current symptoms.,Service connection for periostitis (claimed as shin splints secondary to left knee strain) is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by his representative.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on January 7, 2016 at University of Florida Jacksonville Hospital due to persistent severe lower abdominal pain with difficulty that was considered a medical emergency.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic costochondritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with antral gastritis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the effects of medication on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.