GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The DIC claim is denied as the Veteran did not meet the statutory duration requirement for a 100% rating at the time of his death. The cause of death remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and GERD have been dismissed as the AOJ has already granted these conditions in a prior decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a new theory of service connection for GERD, which is now secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ulcerative colitis. The case will be further examined to determine if GERD was aggravated or caused by his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for GERD, considering all evidence received since the December 2020 SOC.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, cold injury residuals to bilateral hands, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and residuals of fracture to the fourth right finger have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied an increased disability rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease that caused his current condition.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back condition and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied, and the claim for entitlement to a compensable rating for dermatitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a sleep disorder is remanded due to inadequate previous VA examination and need for additional research on Gulf War exposure.,The Veteran's claim for a gastrointestinal disability is remanded as VA did not attempt to verify his Gulf War nerve agent exposure and needs further examination regarding the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for colorectal cancer is remanded due to inadequate previous VA examination and need for additional research on Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dermatophytosis of the toenails was denied in February 1972 and again in May 2002, but new evidence submitted since November 2003 does not reopen this claim.,Service connection is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's GERD is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected coronary artery disease.,The low back disorder claim is denied. There is no evidence showing the low back disorder was incurred in service, due to an undiagnosed illness, or related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to hearing loss is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the denial of the primary claim.,Service connection for GERD, lower back disability, and sleep apnea (claimed as sleep disturbances) are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has found the previous medical opinions inadequate and remanded for another addendum opinion to consider the Veteran's statements about his GERD symptoms during service.

The Board found that VA waived any objection to the timeliness of the filing of the Veteran's substantive appeal, and thus granted the appeal for all issues listed in the August 2016 rating decision.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a gastrointestinal disorder, to include GERD, based on the Veteran's credible and competent reports of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its decision, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's GERD was aggravated by his subsequent periods of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's GERD and its relationship to service, service-connected PTSD, or any other relevant factors.

The Board has granted service connection for cancer of the esophagus, finding that it is related to his gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which was aggravated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications used to treat a service-connected knee condition.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for service connection of IBS, CTS (bilateral), allergic rhinitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee scar. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened due to new evidence received since their final denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, shin splints affecting the right leg, GERD, and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.