GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's GERD with cholecystectomy, gastritis and hiatal hernia has been granted a 30 percent rating effective February 16, 2021.,Previously, the Veteran had received a 10 percent rating for his GERD from June 6, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those for initial disability ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for chronic gastritis to include as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ingrown toenails, bilateral hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, neck disability, and low back disability has been denied.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or impairment related to these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of ingrown toenails, bilateral hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, neck disability, or low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and GERD secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that there is at least equipoise of evidence in favor of these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, migraine headache disorder secondary to PTSD, gastroesophageal disorder (GERD) secondary to PTSD, and hemorrhoids secondary to IBS. The issues are all related to secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions regarding his neck, shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities as well as hypertension and acid reflux. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated GERD and Barrett's esophagus. The Veteran is asked to provide additional evidence from his gastroenterologist, Dr. Aaron.

The Veteran's GERD and lumbar spine disability were granted service connection, while the right shoulder strain, eczema, and onychomycosis of both great toenails issues resulted in a rating increase or grant. The case was remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a respiratory disorder (COPD) and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection is sought for a respiratory disorder, including as due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's service records show he had upper respiratory infections in 1970 and 1972, which may be related to his current COPD diagnosis.,The Veteran seeks service connection for GERD, claiming it developed from his service-connected disabilities or due to herbicide agent exposure. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings of PTSD and GERD, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board has determined that additional relevant service medical and personnel records have been received, necessitating the reconsideration of multiple claims for various disabilities.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal issues, including LES spasms and GERD, are being remanded for further examination and consideration due to outstanding VA treatment records and an inadequate previous C&P examination.

The Board denied service connection for GERD secondary to peptic ulcer disease and remanded the issues of service connection for liposarcoma and TDIU. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents at Fort Dix is in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, specifically GERD. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements and in-service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Degenerative Disc Disease of the lumbar spine status post microdiskectomy and decompression is denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illnesses (MUCMI).

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development, including obtaining an examination and opinion regarding hypertension.