GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his knee disabilities, as well as GERD. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and GERD were denied on their merits. The claim for sleep apnea is granted, while the claim for GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD has worsened since the last VA examination in 2019, and a new medical evaluation is needed to determine an appropriate disability rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they are final due to the January 2016 rating decision, and there is no jurisdiction over freestanding claims for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing evidence. The issues include nose disability, sinus disability, eye disability, and gastric disability (GERD and persistent nausea).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service acoustic trauma.,No current right arm disability, GERD, or fungal foot condition was found.,Service connection for fungus of the feet is denied.,Bilateral knee disability and facial cyst are remanded for further development.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Minimal small vessel periventricular ischemic white matter disease is remanded as secondary to hypertension.,Chronic headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU benefits are granted with an effective date of January 1, 2018, as the evidence shows he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, skin disability (claimed as folliculitis), chronic fatigue syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed stressor related to PTSD and insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.,There is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's current skin condition or chronic fatigue syndrome are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure and no intercurrent causes. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for hypothyroidism, GERD, sinusitis, migraine headaches, left little finger condition, or left hand scar.,The Veteran's right ankle condition, right ankle lateral reconstructive surgery, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and PTSD are all remanded as the evidence is insufficient to make a determination on these issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,VA will obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's GERD based on exposure to burn pits during service in Southwest Asia.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue and short-term memory impairment are remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology, with consideration of possible overlap with his service-connected psychiatric disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea.,A VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's skin rash, given his participation in a TERA during service in Southwest Asia.,No specific rating or effective date information was provided.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for GERD on and after November 28, 2022. Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability, a bilateral eye disability, left ear hearing loss, a head nodule, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities prior to August 10, 2022, were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected GERD and IBS in the absence of medication.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. A VA medical opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD, hypertension, and OSA have been granted service connection. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.,Service connection has been established for PTSD, hypertension, and OSA based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was withdrawn. The claims of increased rating for left shoulder disability, recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, and left ankle sprain were denied. Service connection for asthma, GERD, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and adjustment disorder), prostate cancer, and emphysema were all denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease as it pertains to service connection, due to insufficient opinions regarding direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, but his GERD and asthma are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, thyroid condition, and acid reflux as there is no probative evidence showing that these conditions began during his active service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability at the time of the VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for right lung disorder, GERD, left toe gout, joint pain (due to left toe gout), and fatigue are all denied due to lack of service connection.,OSA claim is remanded.