GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection. The issues include right knee disability, duodenal ulcer, allergic rhinitis with laryngopharyngitis, scar of the right posterior thigh, sinusitis, residuals of a positive purified protein derivative (PPD) test, status post ventral hernia repair, temporary total evaluations, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on GERD and a right shoulder disability, as well as the denials of service connection for alopecia, bronchitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, lentigo, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been dismissed due to his withdrawal during a hearing before the undersigned. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disability and left upper extremity disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims during his November 2021 Board hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for testicular cancer, low back disability, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been remanded.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for an esophageal condition is dismissed. The Veteran's BPPV claim is denied as there was no evidence of dizziness and occasional staggering during the rating period.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 10 percent rating, but the issue of higher initial ratings for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain records from Bassett Army Community Hospital and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital related to the Veteran's GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim, but did not grant service connection due to lack of nexus between the left knee disability and military service. For his left shoulder disability, the Veteran received a 30% rating, which is higher than what he previously had. His back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were all granted increased ratings. The GERD claim was also granted with specific dates.

The Veteran's GERD has worsened, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the GERD rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic calculus cholecystitis, left and right lower extremity tarsal tunnel, right Baxter's neuritis, and GERD due to new evidence being added to her claims file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric, sleep apnea, and acid reflux conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.,The claim for GERD is being remanded as there may be a secondary relationship between the acid reflux and his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for sleep apnea is being remanded because of in-service breathing difficulties and nasal obstructions.,The claims for right knee, left knee, and shin splints are being remanded due to potential secondary relationships with his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The claim for a right hand disability is being remanded as there may be a relationship between the current condition and an in-service injury.,No effective date provided as these claims are still pending.,No rating assigned as these claims are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 7, 2017 due to insufficient evidence of his employment and inconsistent statements about his earnings.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, to include IBS and GERD, is granted service connection. Prior to August 31, 2022, the Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 50 percent. Other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for asthma and service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety and depression, as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability. Service connection for the stomach condition (GERD) is remanded due to insufficient examination regarding its relationship with PTSD.

The appeal of the issues related to right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, GERD, and residuals of head injury (including TBI and headaches) has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal.

The Board has identified additional evidence that was not considered in the previous decision and has requested a waiver for its consideration. The claims are being remanded to allow for readjudication of these issues.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for service connection for various conditions, including throat pain and indigestion, GERD with hiatal hernia, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), joint pain, joint swelling, neck pain, muscle cramps, dizziness and lightheadedness, cold symptoms, cold toes, abdominal pain, white patches on skin, rashes and hives, and hypersomnolence. These requests are being remanded for further review.,The Veteran's appeal also includes a request for an increased rating for migraine headaches, which has been granted with a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no current disability. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hydrocele is also denied due to lack of evidence of atrophy or removal of both testes.,Multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are remanded, including lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, groin strain, convergence insufficiency, restless leg syndrome, eczematosis, serborrheic dermatitis, TBI with associated migraine headaches and PTSD, right knee strain, and GERD. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease with secondary fatigue and GERD is rated at 30 percent, while his pruritic papular eruptions (eczema) are rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo has been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as GERD and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of GERD and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.