GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

Service connection for GERD and gastritis is denied.,The Veteran's intestinal disorder, to include IBS, remains under review due to a lack of clear etiology.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent, but no higher.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for constipation, sinus disability (sinusitis), left hand disability, right hand disability, and hemorrhoids are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bladder disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and kidney disorder are presumed to be related to service exposure at Fort McClellan. The AOJ did not adequately consider this presumption in the initial decision, so the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for a disorder characterized by abnormal weight/gain, brain damage, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic muscle and joint pain, diabetes mellitus type II, irritable bowel syndrome, left rotator cuff tear, loss of smell, loss of taste, other specified depressive disorder, skin disorder, umbilical hernia, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, and right knee scars were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Specifically, the VA examination reports showed that the Veteran's migraines did not result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, his obstructive sleep apnea did not require use of a CPAP machine, his GERD did not meet the criteria for 30 percent or higher ratings under either DC 7203 or DC 7206, and his right knee scars were not deep or nonlinear enough to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's GERD with gastric ulcer was granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to October 3, 2013, and a 30 percent rating from October 3, 2013.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for tension headaches and a 60 percent rating for GERD, but remanded the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is denied as there is no probative, competent medical evidence that the Veteran had dilation of the esophagus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine injury, migraines, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing her appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, erectile dysfunction, and IBS due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's GERD, erectile dysfunction, and IBS are being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board granted disability ratings of 70 percent, 30 percent, and 20 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) respectively, effective November 25, 2020. The ratings for other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions including psychiatric disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, GERD, and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records, provide a VA examination, and address lay statements regarding symptoms in service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, and the Board has resolved the benefit of doubt in favor of the Veteran. The issues of service connection for GERD and a headache condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and residuals of a left wrist fracture are denied.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, and for a headache disorder.

The Veteran's GERD was found to have begun during his active-duty service and is considered secondary to his service-connected right shoulder, acromioclavicular joint with degenerative joint disease with partial rotator cuff tear.

The Veteran's headaches, GERD, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all found to be related to his service-connected conditions.,Further evaluation is needed to determine the specific nature of these relationships.