GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran seeks service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address whether her sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection effective August 24, 2021. Increased ratings for bilateral hip and knee disabilities were also granted effective August 24, 2021.

An earlier effective date of April 13, 2012, for the award of a 20 percent disability rating for right knee instability is granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a TDIU since March 21, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left hip disability and GERD due to errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions prior to the issuance of the October 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for GERD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a more than 10 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder condition is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for an umbilical hernia that is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected GERD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and urinary frequency are being remanded due to the need for further development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as new evidence has been received, warranting readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between the condition and her military service.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran did not have symptoms that meet the criteria for chronic sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between her in-service symptoms and her current GERD diagnosis.

The Veteran's GERD and sinusitis have been granted increased ratings of 30 percent each, effective from the date of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to new evidence received after the previous rating decisions. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service or TERA exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a duty to assist error. The issues include right shoulder, left shoulder, bilateral foot, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as defined by VA regulations.,The Veteran's rhinitis is rated at the maximum allowed and no additional manifestations are present, thus no higher rating can be granted.,The Veteran's arthritis of the right fifth digit has no manifestations not contemplated by the rating criteria.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction, residuals of a head injury, GERD, and cervical spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen service connection claims for these conditions.,The Veteran's GERD is not related to his service, including head injuries sustained during service.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is also remanded as there are no discussions of lifting and injuries related to the Veteran's duties in service.

The Veteran's claim for major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a service connection.,The Veteran's claims for diverticulosis, erythematous mucosa, hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids were all denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for GERD was remanded as there is no clear indication of a connection between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's GERD disability is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the severity of his condition, including whether it meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and denied service connection for tinnitus, sciatica of the LLE and RLE, sleep apnea, GERD, major depression, and insomnia.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.,Service connection has also been granted for hypertension, which is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus and obesity as an intermediate step.,Additionally, the Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), determined to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus with obesity as an intermediate factor.

The Board has denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right hip strain, and left hip strain. The claim for an acquired mental disorder is remanded as the evidence does not meet the threshold for a VA examination.,The Board has also remanded the claims for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to potential presumptive service connection based on exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right lower extremity neurological disorder is denied. The RO granted an increased disability rating of 10 percent for GERD from June 24, 2022, and denied claims for increased ratings for dermatitis, back disability, left lower extremity sciatica, and knee strains.