GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, right wrist disability, and gout were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The Board found the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,GERD was also denied as there is no indication of its onset in service.

The Veteran's GERD and Barrett's esophagus were incurred during service. The claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, back, bilateral flat foot, right ear hearing loss, tonsil problems, and obstructive sleep apnea are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and dismissed the remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a heart condition, left-hand disability, right-hand disability, fatigue, tension headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD).

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and prostate cancer as the evidence does not support a nexus to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and Barrett's esophagus due to a need for additional evidence and an examination. The Veteran is seeking direct or secondary service connection for these conditions.

Service connection for malaria is denied. The Veteran's claim has been reopened, but service connection cannot be established as there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service.,Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted. The Veteran's current diagnosis is linked to herbicide agent exposure during service.,Service connection for the heart disability (atherosclerosis of the aorta) is granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis and there is evidence linking it to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is denied. There is no disease or disability listed under VA regulations that corresponds with this condition.,Service connection for asbestosis is denied. There is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service, and the Veteran's claim cannot be granted based on presumptive service connection.,Service connection for chronic constipation (IBS) is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis or sufficient evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied. There is no evidence of GERD during service and the condition cannot be linked to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for cataract of the left eye is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis or sufficient evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for myasthenia gravis and double vision is granted. There is a current diagnosis and evidence linking it to herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and an eye disability, including glaucoma and cataracts.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is granted service connection. Service connection for left and right hip conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for GERD and scar, status/post arthroscopic surgery, right elbow were denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected mixed bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of GERD. The claim for service connection for residuals of a torn meniscus, right knee remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service or service-connected disabilities. The remand also includes a request for an opinion on whether obesity caused by service-connected disabilities is a substantial factor in causing or aggravating the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease and remanded all associated issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted an increased rating of 40 percent effective June 2, 2011. The right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted a 20 percent rating effective October 11, 2021. Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his claim for a higher rating for left knee revision total knee arthroplasty. The Veteran was also granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from maintaining gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a 30 percent disability rating for GERD with IBS, effective from June 4, 2018. The low back disability issue was rendered moot by the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied DIC benefits based on the cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for his respiratory disability, GERD, lipoma, allergic rhinitis, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, dizziness, and low back condition. The examination is also necessary to address the impact of toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs) on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastritis, as well as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), due to incomplete development of records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations of various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for a separate compensable rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches is remanded.