GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for acid reflux due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion and duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches has been denied.,The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of GERD with nausea was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346. The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss and unspecified mood disorder (claimed as PTSD and somatic symptom disorder) are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to consider additional medical records from his Social Security Administration (SSA). The Board cannot proceed without these records.

The Board has denied a compensable disability rating for GERD and remanded the issue of service connection for OSA due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and PTSD, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran is in need of such assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for GERD with CCY and surgical scars due to CCY have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant an increased rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee condition, GERD, left hip condition, migraines, left lower extremity neuropathy, and squamous cell carcinoma on the skull, upper lip, and left great toe, as these conditions are not found to be related to his conceded in-service exposure to jet engine exhaust, fuels, oils, and solvents.

The Veteran's GERD disability, which includes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus, and hiatal hernia, was granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent effective November 2, 2021. The symptoms include persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, regurgitation, substernal pain, difficulty sleeping at night due to choking, vitamin deficiencies, coughing, and nausea and vomiting.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's GERD was found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder, and the right knee condition with degenerative joint disease is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken for his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.,The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,Service connection for bladder dysfunction is remanded due to insufficient evidence to establish participation in a TERA.,Service connection for sexual or erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected PTSD is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including Achilles tendon disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral carpal tunnel disability, bilateral hip and thigh disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, cervical spine disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rhinitis/sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and groin disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.,The Veteran did not provide sufficient information in his claims for the Board to determine if there were any presumptive exposures or other theories of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive VA examination without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100 percent effective June 5, 2015. Service connection for iliohypogastric nerve injury (claimed as nerve damage to the stomach) and diabetes mellitus are granted. The claims for service connection for vertigo, gastrointestinal disability, neurological disorder, and asthma are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for a sebaceous cyst, neck is dismissed as the proper claims processing rules have not been followed.,New and relevant evidence has been received to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right forearm condition. The Board will now readjudicate this issue.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted from January 12, 2019. The earlier effective date for a 60% rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease is also granted from October 1, 2019.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and GERD disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since April 2022, but the Board has denied a higher rating for the entire period on appeal.