GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's esophageal cancer and GERD need further examination and opinion regarding their onset in service and relation to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, with some issues being remanded.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen previously denied claims.

The Veteran's GERD has not resulted in symptoms accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain, and thus does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal diseases and autoimmune disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities, as well as their potential relation to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum available rating under DC 7319. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating under DC 7346.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left hip disorder, and right hip disorder have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.,There is no evidence linking any of these conditions to military service or environmental exposures in Southwest Asia.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, GERD as secondary to PTSD, and OSA as secondary to PTSD. The evidence shows current disabilities of these conditions and a link between them and service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted an initial 30 percent rating, effective June 1, 2020. The condition is characterized by persistently recurring epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm/shoulder pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including restrictive lung disease, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left wrist strain with degenerative arthritis, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residual of right ear otitis media, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TBI, GERD, headaches, ED, right knee arthritis, left hip strain, and right hip strain are all granted service connection.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is also granted as secondary to right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected GERD was granted a rating of 30 percent effective July 7, 2021. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD was also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition other than GERD, including gastroenteritis, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any symptoms to active service or exposure.

The Veteran's GERD results in pyrosis (heartburn) and regurgitation, meeting the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new medical opinions are required for the Veteran's hypertension, GERD, fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome), joint pain (claimed as fibromyalgia), and heart disorder claims due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Board has remanded several issues, including hypertension, which is suspected to be related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of GERD due to insufficient information provided by the VA examiner in March 2022. The Veteran's representative asserts that secondary service connection should be granted based on a private medical opinion and the Veteran's lay statements. However, the Board cannot yet adjudicate the claim because the AOJ failed to obtain a medical examination with sufficient information.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent from October 1, 2019. The Board found that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it did not manifest in persistently recurring epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal pain, productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent prior to November 8, 2021 and at 20 percent since then.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy meets the criteria for a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and atherosclerosis of the coronary artery with stable angina pectoris are granted as secondary to herbicide exposure. Hypertension is also granted under the PACT Act.,Hypothyroidism and irritable bowel syndrome were not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to obtain relevant private treatment records and rescheduling of VA examinations.