GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's esophageal disability, including acid reflux and GERD, is related to his service. The VA will schedule an examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for reactive arthritis affecting multiple joints, left knee, right knee, and shoulders have been remanded. His claim for TDIU prior to March 19, 2015, has also been remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and GERD are all granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected conditions. The hypertension is rated at 30 percent prior to January 29, 2021, and the GERD is rated at 60 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for GERD and chronic pharyngitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and retrospective clinical findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for esophageal or stomach condition due to a lack of authorization and request for records from Mountain View Medical Group and Pike Peak Group. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye condition is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current keratoconus to service. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, hemorrhoids, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are all found to be service-connected.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's diagnosed conditions based on their direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development and consideration, including service connection for GERD and IBS, increased ratings for radiation proctitis, ED, and depressive disorder, and reconsideration of the reduced rating for prostate cancer residuals.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for the issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, diverticulosis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's disabilities may be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, but further examination is needed to determine if this aggravation is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a gastroesophageal disability, including GERD, hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus, as well as squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.,Specifically, the VA opinions found no causal relationship between the Veteran's gastroesophageal disability and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for GERD, as the previous VA opinion was inadequate. The Veteran's bilateral hip conditions are denied due to lack of a nexus between her active duty and current condition.

Service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and migraine headaches has been granted.,The claims of service connection for osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and anemia have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection as a qualifying chronic disability due to active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The rating assigned is 10% for frequent episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which were necessary to evaluate her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS claim was denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The TDIU claim is remanded due to inconsistencies and lack of clarity regarding the Veteran's employment and educational history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, left foot disability (other than hallux valgus), right foot disability (other than hallux valgus), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bladder or urinary disability, thyroid disability, right breast lump, breast reduction surgery residuals, and C-section residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left hand disability, insomnia, and GERD. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, bilateral elbow condition, joint pain (rheumatoid arthritis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma. The issues of service connection for bile duct cancer, TMJ, digestive disorder (claimed as acid reflux), and the cause of death are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.