GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to include as due to service-connected disabilities or treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, osteoarthritis of the right hand second digit and thumb, asthma, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), prostate cancer with prostatectomy, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, right thigh residual scar, right index finger scar, and abdomen scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as fatigue), allergic rhinitis, and fibromyalgia were denied. The Veteran's GERD claim was granted with a 30% rating from March 17, 2022, forward.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol, sciatica prior to July 8, 2022, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), TMJ, GERD, CFS, bilateral ankle disabilities, tinnitus, headaches prior to December 29, 2023, insomnia with unrestful sleep, and a mental health disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for higher disability ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and irritable bowel syndrome with diverticulosis is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination findings and need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD manifestations during the review period most closely approximated those contemplated by a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7346, warranting an increased rating of 30 percent but no higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal, left elbow, right elbow, and low back conditions due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with these new evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her scar, residual of c-section, is denied as the area affected does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and hysterectomy are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that it is caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since June 2014.,The Board finds that the combination of multiple disabilities, including sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, and lumbar condition with radiculopathy, has prevented the Veteran from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's GERD is aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including right and left wrist disabilities, gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, chest pain, and gallbladder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, GERD, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to pre-decisional errors in VA examinations.,VA is required to provide a VA examination if there is (1) a current disability; (2) an injury or disease in service; and (3) a possible nexus between them.

The Board has determined that the AOJ failed to obtain adequate medical opinions for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and tinnitus. The VA medical opinions did not address all relevant conditions or provide sufficient explanations.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) effective January 25, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hip disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, and lumbar disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for IBS with GERD is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. An effective date earlier than March 17, 2021, for the grant of service connection for IBS with GERD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for GERD due to a lack of medical opinion and potential continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected GERD with hiatal hernia has been granted at a 30 percent level, effective from the date of the November 2021 rating decision.