GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD with TBI is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a more specific medical opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a left hip disability. The claim seeking an effective date prior to July 10, 2021, for the award of TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis during or contemporaneous to the appeal period. The Veteran's cervical spine disability and GERD were also denied, with the cervical spine disability rated at 10 percent and GERD rated at 10 percent under DC 7346. The right hand scar claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for GERD, a sinus condition, and fatigue due to incomplete records and the need for VA examinations. The Veteran's service treatment records are requested, and if she participated in a TERA, her sinus condition will be evaluated based on exposure.

The Veteran seeks an effective date earlier than December 18, 2017 for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for GERD. The Board finds that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's GERD disability increased in severity prior to the filing of his Intent to File form on December 18, 2017.,The AOJ erred by applying the wrong legal standard when considering the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim should be readjudicated with new and relevant evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, OSA, right knee condition, left knee condition, and COPD. The decision also notes that the Veteran's hypertension was granted as service connected with a ten percent evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for the period since November 16, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantial gainful employment, consistent with his training and experience as an over-the-road truck driver.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted a 40% disability rating, effective August 25, 2015. The Veteran's GERD has also been granted a 30% disability rating, effective July 1, 2022.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia have been granted service connection due to their presumptive relationship to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, heart disorder, and GERD due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service cold weather injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of an addendum medical opinion regarding his respiratory disorder and a need for a TERA examination. The psychiatric claim is also being remanded.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, OSA, and a throat condition to obtain additional evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was incomplete, as it did not address both causation and aggravation aspects of secondary service connection. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to service-connected PTSD and GERD is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for chronic bronchitis cough was granted. The left wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities (anxiety, insomnia, short-term memory loss and lack of concentration, social adjustment disorder with anger issues), bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, vitamin D deficiency, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and skin disability (shingles) were denied. The Veteran's upper respiratory infection(s) other than chronic bronchitis was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The GERD claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and his GERD and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% since December 8, 2023. The Board found no evidence of higher ratings prior to March 18, 2022.

The Board has remanded several claims due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need to obtain SSA records related to the Veteran's disability benefits application and earnings history.

The Veteran's GERD and helicobacter pylori bacteria of the stomach have been granted a 30 percent rating, effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis.,PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating, but are sufficient for a 70% disability rating.