GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, acid reflux, and dizziness/vertigo due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus, finding that his condition is not secondary to or aggravated by a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issue of service connection for a sinus disability, including nasal polyps, has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that these conditions are caused by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD likely pre-existed service and may have been aggravated by service. However, further examination is needed to determine if GERD was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated during service and whether it is at least as likely as not that GERD was aggravated by a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis, and GERD were rated as 10 percent prior to June 23, 2020. The Board denied a higher rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication of his claims, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the severity of his GERD disability and whether sleep disturbance is secondary to service-connected GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to his service, specifically exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and OSA claims must be remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, an enlarged heart, and hypertension as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, as there is no evidence of current diagnosis or history of cardiomyopathy during the pendency of this claim.,The claims for thyroid nodule, lung nodule, gastroenteritis, ulcers, and GERD are remanded due to failure to appear for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hearing loss have been denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA criteria for a hearing loss or GERD, and the evidence does not support a direct link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD as secondary to their already service-connected conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting a withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability to include GERD and diverticulitis, finding that there was no evidence of any chronic gastrointestinal condition during or within one year after service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diverticulitis had its onset outside of his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for GERD and IBS, as these conditions are claimed as secondary to PTSD. The VA needs to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a 10 percent rating prior to November 6, 2020 and a 30 percent rating from that date. The decision found the symptoms were productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's service during his honorable period, and for an addendum opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after her active service. The Board also found that any current diagnoses are not related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to particulate matter due to her service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disorder, acid reflux, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorders. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

Service connection granted for GERD, fibromyalgia, and OSA.,An increased rating of 10 percent for the service-connected headache disability from December 15, 2016 to March 8, 2018 is granted.