GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the September 2023 remand directives and has therefore ordered a new examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's GERD, including its relationship to service-connected conditions and medications.

The Veteran's GERD and distal esophageal ulcer are granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective from August 12, 2020.

The Veteran's eczema claim was denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The GERD and hiatal hernia claim is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent since May 15, 2020. The Board granted an initial rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's GERD based on severe impairment of health.

The reduction in the disability rating for right lower leg painful and unstable scar from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective June 28, 2022, is void ab initio, and the 20 percent rating is restored.,The Veteran's right leg internal popliteal nerve paralysis status post surgery disability manifests in moderate incomplete paralysis of the internal popliteal nerve. The criteria for a 20 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot plantar fasciitis, as well as his requests for increased ratings for GERD with IBS are being remanded due to procedural errors in the adjudication process.,For the initial rating claim of an increase in disability rating for GERD prior to July 28, 2021, the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD with esophagitis, finding that there is no current diagnosed disability and that it is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an extension of her delimiting date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) beyond December 13, 2020, as there were no additional periods where she suspended education due to conditions beyond her control.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for GERD is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will obtain a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his GERD symptoms without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, but remanded the cases for further development regarding DM II, OSA, and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an examination, as well as a duty to assist error in obtaining missing private medical records from the Veteran's ENT provider. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for her service-connected IBS.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome, right shoulder impingement syndrome and thoracic strain with chronic NSAID usage. The decision affirms that GERD is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of esophageal cancer was dismissed.,A disability rating of 60 percent, but no higher, was granted for GERD.

The Veteran's gastroenteritis is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a left elbow disorder is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability during or approximate to the appeal period.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure and credible testimony from the Veteran.

Service connection for a headache disability and hypertension has been granted.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and hemorrhoids to include as secondary to GERD have also been granted.,The earlier effective date claims for left knee instability and right shoulder disability were dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for esophageal disorder (GERD), as claimed as secondary to medications taken for his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease associated with posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 30 percent, the minimum for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346. The symptoms are consistent with a 30 percent rating but not a higher one.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis, bilateral heel spurs, and right Achilles enthesopathy are being remanded for further evaluation.,A compensable rating is also being remanded for the Veteran's acid reflux.

The Veteran's service-connected Schatzki ring with gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia is rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.