GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, specifically GERD. The examiner is requested to identify any diagnosed gastrointestinal disabilities present during the appeal period and determine if they are related to military service.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease are rated at a maximum of 60 percent from March 29, 2021.

The Board has denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for GERD as the evidence does not show symptoms that warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 60 percent, effective December 3, 2024. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's GERD with IBS, effective from March 22, 2021. The decision is based on the severity of symptoms including episodes of epigastric distress, regurgitation, dysphagia, pyrosis, melena, nighttime choking, reflux, and vitamin deficiencies due to difficulty swallowing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg varicose veins and left leg varicose veins have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been received to warrant readjudication.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for a digestive disability, to include GERD. The appellant's exposure in Afghanistan and Kuwait qualifies as a TERA under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, migraine headaches, hypertension, right wrist sprain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran's claims for recurrent headache disability and recurrent esophageal disability are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and records. The issues of psychiatric disorders and gastrointestinal disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed GERD. The Veteran and his spouse have provided reports, but a VA examination is needed to determine if the condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to alleged asbestos exposure and other medical conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep disorder, left wrist condition, sinusitis, and gastrointestinal issues. The VA must obtain adequate examinations and opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied as she did not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss.,Service connection and an initial rating of 30 percent were granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease, effective May 8, 2019.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective June 1, 2020. The Board found the symptoms do not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of severe impairment or recurrent esophageal strictures.

Service connection is granted for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left ankle deltoid ligament sprain, and right ankle deltoid ligament sprain.,Service connection is also granted for cervical strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and IBS have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,For the left thigh disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent has also been denied.

The Veteran's GERD was rated as noncompensably disabling prior to June 11, 2021. From that date, a disability rating of 10 percent for GERD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been granted, with the disability rated at 60 percent effective from June 17, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA with obesity as an intermediary step is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not establish a direct or secondary relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his current OSA.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The GERD issue is remanded due to inadequate examination, and the TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the GERD evaluation.