GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right wrist fracture and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and GERD, but granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection for IBS was withdrawn by the Veteran or her representative.

The Veteran's appeals for GERD and tension headaches have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's GERD symptoms are productive of considerable or severe impairment of health. The claim will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability, including as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed stomach/gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for osteoporosis, high cholesterol, hypertension, and GERD were denied. The claim for depression was granted, but the claim for sleep apnea was not reopened as it did not relate to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 6, 2013 for increased ratings for various disabilities was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a different VA examiner to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not that his service-connected back and knee disabilities caused or aggravated his GERD.

Service connection for GERD is granted.,The Veteran's right knee scar is not entitled to a compensable rating as there is no evidence of deep, unstable, or painful scars exceeding 144 square inches.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, allergic rhinitis, and OSA on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected major depression, recurrent, claimed as depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 10, 2014. The decision is based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient supporting opinions in the prior remand.

The Veteran's service-connected Barrett's esophagus with GERD has prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since March 12, 2009.

The Veteran's seizure disorder, TBI residuals, anosmia, and GERD are all found to have onset during his active service period from October 6, 2004 to March 24, 2014. The claims for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 are granted.,The Veteran's seizure disorder, TBI residuals, anosmia, and GERD are all found to have onset during his active service period from October 6, 2004 to March 24, 2014. The claims for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 are granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for GERD due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and GERD, finding that additional development is needed to address whether his service-connected conditions caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his sleep apnea and/or GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for updated VA examinations. The issues of increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities are being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders and their relationship to her service-connected cholecystectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dizziness is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disability and GERD cases are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.