GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to his service or caused by any of his service-connected disabilities, including medications for those conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.

The claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and assistance prior to the April 2020 rating decision.

The rating reduction from 60 percent to 30 percent for service-connected GERD with other non-surgical or non-infectious intestinal conditions, with constipation and diarrhea was improper. The Veteran's condition did not show actual improvement in daily living, thus restoration of the 60 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection for GERD. The Veteran's sinusitis is alleged to have caused or aggravated his GERD, but the VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusions.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding VA treatment records and a need for an additional VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD, including his exposure to toxic substances during military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for GERD due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding its relationship to service, specifically Vietnam exposure. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence and provide an updated opinion.

The appeal as to entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is dismissed.,Service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood prior to February 5, 2023, is granted. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.,Service connection for gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is granted. The Veteran's GERD had its onset during service.,An initial 20 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,An initial 10 percent rating for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted. The Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.,A separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability is granted. The Veteran has experienced symptoms most nearly approximating moderate right knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded due to the need for an updated examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, hepatic steatosis with fatty liver, and sleep apnea have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The heart disorder claim has been remanded as it may be related to the Veteran's hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Service connection for tinea versicolor, BPH, GERD, and Barrett's esophagus have all been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, and GERD. The other issues on appeal have been denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the sufficiency of the VA examination and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims.,Service connection has not been established for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and abdominal pain), and prostate cancer residuals are all granted. The rating claim for prostate cancer residuals is denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal.,The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, effective dates, and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate medical opinions provided in February and August 2023, as well as a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for GERD and hiatal hernia, as well as bilateral heel spurs, is being remanded due to errors in notification of the need to provide authorization for private treatment records and regarding a scheduled DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, stomach disability (IBS and acid reflux), and anemia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of prostate, erectile dysfunction, GERD, GI ulcer, and sleep condition are related to the Veteran's in-service stressors or symptoms.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.