GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 18, 2011 to March 19, 2012 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a diagnosed disability.,The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle disability and chronic gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) as they may be related to service or secondary to other conditions.,The Veteran's GERD claim is being remanded, with an addendum opinion requested regarding whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected IBS and/or depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination considering all of his service-connected conditions, including those not previously considered in the previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease with inflammatory bowel disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision denied entitlement to a compensable rating prior to October 29, 2020 and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected TBI beginning October 29, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 60 percent for CAD is granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU from August 28, 2019 to November 30, 2019 and SMC during the same period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with service connection for loss of teeth, sinusitis, and acid reflux. The decision is not about accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, GERD, and OSA have been reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection for hypertension is granted on a direct basis as it is found to be related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right shoulder disability, GERD, bronchitis, asthma, a right hand disability, and a right wrist disability due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for GERD is being remanded as it may be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The Board also requested an opinion on whether the GERD is related to medication prescribed for his service-connected condition.,The Board has remanded the claims for bronchitis and asthma due to incomplete review of the record, including a lack of VA examinations regarding in-service asbestos exposure.,The Board has remanded the claims for a right hand disability and a right wrist disability as they may be related to already service-connected conditions. The Veteran's MOS was gas turbine maintenance, which could have exposed him to asbestos.,The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection for left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and acid reflux. The rating for migraine headaches was also dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder (eczema) and a gastroesophageal disorder (gastritis), finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional cardiovascular, esophageal, pulmonary, and lumbar spine disorders are not due to VA negligence or fault during treatment for lung cancer.

The Veteran's diagnosed GERD and IBS are found to be related to service, with the Board resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including as due to his service-connected left hip disability or the medications prescribed to treat it. The evidence does not support finding an etiological link between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability and active service or any incident of service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a disability manifested by joint and muscle pain of the left leg, a disability manifested by joint and muscle pain of the right leg, and peripheral vascular disorder are all remanded.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the directives to obtain missing service dental treatment records and schedule VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The appeal is being remanded again due to these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for a stomach disorder other than gastroesophageal reflux disease and remanded the case for further development regarding a skin disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected sinusitis and/or knee and back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD as secondary to his allergic rhinitis and/or asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, and denied a rating higher than 10 percent for his right wrist disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's contention that his GERD was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.