GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected GERD, despite a temporary total convalescence rating following Nissen fundoplication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim is granted, but the increased rating for muscle disability of the neck and left shoulder is remanded due to lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Prior to September 17, 2020, the Veteran's GERD was rated at noncompensable. After that date, it has been rated as 10 percent disabling.,For bilateral pinguecula with bilateral blepharitis, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service GERD symptomatology and no competent medical opinion linking the condition to service.,The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential intercurrent causes not related to service. The Veteran's noise exposure during service may be considered, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if current hearing loss or tinnitus is related to service.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent disability level since August 18, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right knee strain, which developed in service. However, service connection is not granted for GERD as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD and remanded the issue of service connection for PFB. The Veteran's GERD is not considered a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, but may still be entitled to direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in prior decisions, including not considering whether the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea and Ambien.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, MDD, PTSD, GERD, migraine headaches, sarcoidosis, and skin lesions/lesions on back are remanded.,An effective date prior to March 10, 2016 for the grants of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia with GERD and diarrhea, headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's stomach disability, esophageal conditions (including GERD), and hypertension. The issues of service connection are being addressed due to potential exposure to nerve agents during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete or inadequate medical opinions, and for additional development related to substitution requests and records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the evaluations for post-concussion migraine headaches and GERD, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, as they need more information and a medical opinion regarding whether his condition is related to his service-connected disabilities or if it was caused by NSAIDs used during service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating. Tinnitus and GERD remain at their current 10% ratings. The Veteran's right elbow and left elbow disabilities are denied higher ratings based on limitation of forearm flexion or pronation. The Veteran's shin splints and foot conditions do not warrant compensable ratings. Effective dates for service connection and increased ratings have been established.

The Board denied service connection for GERD as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, with the exception of a remand for further development on several service connection issues. The lumbosacral strain claim was denied as there is no evidence that it meets the criteria for a higher rating. The allergic rhinitis claim was also denied since it does not meet the criteria for a 10% rating due to lack of obstruction or polyps. Other claims were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide updated medical records and must be scheduled for further VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by his second period of active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.