GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD are not rated higher than the current 10 percent levels.,Chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 50 percent prior to April 30, 2019, but denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for hypertension is granted pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for clarification on the nature and likely cause of any esophageal condition disabilities. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder and any medications used to treat it. The examiner should consider the side effects of Lamotrigine prescribed for bipolar disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lymphoma at multiple sites, liver disability, bilateral hip disability, hepatitis B, acid reflux, and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is not granted as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 6, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his GERD condition, including any potential relationship to environmental exposures during his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's Schatzki ring condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected GERD.,Prior to September 21, 2022, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating. From September 21, 2022, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 30 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected headaches were granted as secondary to his service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for chronic kidney disease is denied as there was no communication received by VA that can be construed as an informal or formal claim prior to February 28, 2011.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for GERD is denied as the evidence submitted between August 26, 2002 and April 10, 2013 was not relevant to his GERD claim.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew their claims in November 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and compensation for various conditions resulting from VA medical treatment has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.,The claims have been reopened, but no new evidence was provided.

The Veteran's initial claim for GERD was granted with a 30% rating, which was increased to 60%. The Veteran's PTSD was also granted an increased rating to 70%, but no higher. Both conditions are rated based on their current symptoms and impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraine headaches prior to August 20, 2018 is granted with a 50% rating.,The appeals of the claims for service connection for vertigo and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) prior to August 5, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as it began during active duty and is not due to any intervening cause.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for IBS, diverticulitis, and gastroesophageal disability (including GERD and hiatal hernia) due to conflicting evidence of current diagnoses and inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's Gulf War exposure is presumed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for GERD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was also denied, as he failed to perfect a timely appeal within one year after the August 2013 denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to increased ratings for chronic costochondritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with antral gastritis. The reasons are that VA failed to obtain all relevant treatment records from Moncrief Army Health Clinic, including those from November 2017 onwards.

The Veteran's residuals of gallbladder removal are currently rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection for scars associated with melanoma is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between service and the condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for each condition were inadequate and remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's service records contain numerous complaints of ankle, knee, and foot pain. She underwent VA examinations in July 2020 where diagnoses of bilateral tibia stress fracture, bilateral ankle strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were found.