GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's duodenal ulcers, diverticulitis, GERD and gastritis are rated at 40 percent effective February 1, 2017. The Veteran's nephrolithiasis is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, tinnitus, an internal organ condition other than GERD (GERD), and a dental condition for treatment purposes were denied. The decision also remanded several issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is secondary to her service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for Barrett's esophagus with GERD and remanded the skin disability claim. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated medical records and a physician opinion regarding his skin conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and a migraine headache disability, as well as her right and left ankle disabilities and stomach disability. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, and he is now entitled to a grant of service connection. The Veteran also has been granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) but not for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his weight gain and if that weight gain contributed to his development of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted on a presumptive basis due to his Persian Gulf service. Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability related to his Persian Gulf service, and headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected somatization disorder.,The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for somatization disorder with depressive disorder, NOS, PTSD and memory loss prior to September 6, 2019 is granted. The issue of a higher rating after that date remains pending.

The Veteran's right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as noncompensably disabling (10 percent), and the Board denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his left shoulder condition and GERD. Specifically, a new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of his left shoulder disorder and determine if he has a cervical spine disability caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disorder.

Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, oropharyngeal cancer, hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction is denied.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as acid reflux) and chronic constipation is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, GERD, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver are remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the Veteran's current diagnosis and treatment are linked to his in-service symptoms, which started during active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD and acid reflux, due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's GERD was not caused by his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's appeal for avitaminosis, also claimed as weight loss, has been dismissed. The claims for service connection for various disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records and outpatient treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of GERD and C. diff due to incomplete development as ordered in prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent rating, effective February 7, 2021. The left knee disability is not entitled to an increased rating.