GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected varicose veins of the left lower extremity, entitlement to service connection for onychomycosis, entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifesting in loss of teeth, and entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection of acid reflux, hypertension, and heart disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension/high blood pressure; heart condition; GERD; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been reopened. The Board is remanding these issues due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability (shortness of breath) has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease and a TDIU due to new evidence received since the last Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether current migraines are related to service, and thus grants service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of updated examination for the service-connected hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis, gastric erosions, and gastric ulcers. The appellant's last VA examination was in October 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being reopened and granted.,Service connection for diarrhea as a qualifying chronic disability under the PACT Act is granted.,GERD, sinus disability, residuals of a nasal fracture, jaw disability, neck disability, and back disability are all remanded for further development due to the provisions of the PACT Act regarding toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).,Bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected back disability is also being remanded.,

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD and gastritis due to insufficient evidence in their favor. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's GERD disability was rated at 10 percent from January 27, 2017. The rating was reduced to 0 percent effective November 7, 2018, but this reduction was improper and the 10 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings and effective dates for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine, GERD, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, vitiligo, tinnitus, anal fissures, a jaw disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not begin during active service and are not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of current left ear hearing loss or a causal relationship between right ear hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability, service connection for bilateral sciatica and acid reflux, and service connection for ED due to incomplete VA examinations and lack of opinions on etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD due to unclear consideration of medication effects and the need to address whether a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for muscle spasms was dismissed. The Board found no evidence linking the current right hip, shoulder, and hemorrhoids disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was denied because the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition is related to his military service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Service connection for a low back condition, claimed as lumbar disc disease, was also denied. The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, chronic fatigue syndrome, and maxillary sinusitis have been withdrawn.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction has been granted.