GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC is not clear and does not provide adequate reasons or bases. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tension headache, left shoulder labral tear, wrist tendinitis, fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, TMJ capsulitis, dry eye syndrome, allergic rhinitis, scars, and psoriasis are considered. The Board has ordered remand to clarify the reason for denial and provide proper notice.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a left shoulder condition have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his GERD began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. For the left shoulder condition, the Board accepted the Veteran's reports of a combat-related injury but did not provide a VA examination as required by law.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and hemorrhoids have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The Board found that new evidence has reopened these claims, but further examination is required to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's initial ratings for headaches and GERD were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for headaches, but the rating assigned is 30 percent, effective March 14, 2019. For GERD, a 10 percent rating was granted effective March 14, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for an adequate opinion on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is granted service connection as it was caused by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim has been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's disability ratings for migraine, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), epilepsy with recurrent seizures, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lumbosacral strain, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome were improperly reduced to noncompensable effective January 1, 2023. The ratings are restored.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims for hypertension, GERD, OSA, a respiratory/lung disorder, and RLS.

The Veteran's appeals for GERD, migraines, and hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are now closed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right hand ulnar nerve damage are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxic substances during service under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation due to missed VA examinations, and a PACT Act claim may be raised based on implicit participation in a TERA.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms are productive of severe impairment of health, warranting a rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his GERD, service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and presumed toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease and service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis are being remanded due to a failure by the AOJ to provide notice of his right to a hearing before the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for residuals of mild traumatic brain injury with post-traumatic headaches was denied. The evidence did not show that the condition resulted in Level 2 impairment, which is necessary to warrant a 40 percent rating.,The Veteran's application for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disabilities alone do not meet the schedular criteria for individual unemployability.

The Board has restored a 30 percent disability rating for asthma from August 16, 2022. The issue of service connection for GERD is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for duodenal ulcer/duodenitis, esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a respiratory disability including emphysema, allergic rhinitis, and hypertension due to potential service connection based on exposure to fuel products during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease, should be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative disc disease L5-S1, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and GERD, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since August 12, 2019. As of February 2, 2022, she met the schedular criteria for TDIU.