GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for an acquired mental health disorder (including PTSD and insomnia disorder) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for bilateral blepharitis is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a headache disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including rating determinations and service connection for various conditions. The case is returned to the AOJ for initial review of new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's GERD and his service, as well as any potential secondary effects from his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, arterial hypertension, bilateral cataracts, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), low back disability, and osteoarthritis as the persuasive evidence did not show a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder and duodenal ulcer with gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to particulate matter during Southwest Asia service. The claims for pulmonary disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder), PTSD, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and headaches are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for GERD and hiatal hernia due to a lack of substantial compliance with its June 2021 remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to October 28, 2020 and 20 percent disabling from that date. The Veteran's IBS with gastritis and GERD with hiatal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 25, 2021 and 30 percent disabling from that date.,The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings based on the current severity of her conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. He is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and asthma due to insufficient medical opinions based on the absence of documentation showing an in-service diagnosis or treatment. The Veteran asserts that her environment within the service attributed to her conditions, such as generators, fuel, and smoke.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for GERD prior to November 9, 2022, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including memory loss, are granted as they are related to and began during a period of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).,Service connection is also granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as it had its onset in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD and gastritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct or presumptive service connection. However, his PTSD claim is granted based on personal assaults / a pattern of harassment during active duty.,PTSD service connection is granted due to in-service personal assaults / a pattern of harassment. Major depressive disorder with associated anxiety, insomnia, and memory loss are also granted as they can be linked to the Veteran's period of active service.,The Veteran's bowel disturbance with abdominal distress (an intestinal condition) qualifies as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 due to his Persian Gulf service. His type II diabetes mellitus is also granted as a qualifying chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness.,Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain) and hypertension are both granted secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain).,PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and polysubstance abuse disorders are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating based on orthopedic manifestations. His tension headaches have been granted the maximum 50 percent rating from August 26, 2013.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is caused by his service-connected low back disability, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for higher ratings of right hip osteoarthritis, hypertension, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in February 2023.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and esophageal dysmotility has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not sufficient to meet his claim for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and GERD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The issues of service connection are being reviewed again, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability, to include pain, and GERD are both granted as service-connected. The back disability is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.,Service connection for GERD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for aphthous ulcer and an initial compensable rating for GERD, as well as a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD from August 20, 2020 onwards. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and outstanding records.