GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of outstanding service records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent and 10 percent, but no higher, for tension headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), respectively.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for Meniere's disease from August 19, 2021, and has also granted SMC based on housebound status from the same date. The appellant is now service-connected for multiple conditions including Meniere's disease, PTSD, urge incontinence, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and GERD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a potential error in not obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's GERD, which is related to service exposure. The Veteran will need to have a TERA memorandum prepared and a medical opinion on the etiology of his GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, which was previously denied, is now granted as the condition is found to be secondary to his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's GERD is granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's eczema of the face and scalp is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by service-connected GERD, hiatal hernia, or PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of tinnitus and there is sufficient evidence to support his in-service exposure to noise, leading to chronicity.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not meet the threshold requirements for a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection, while his lumbar spine disability is denied due to lack of a medical nexus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw all issues within this appeal.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since January 23, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms are productive of considerable impairment of health but not severe.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of separate disability ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastritis is denied. The asthma claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions. The appeals are not granted as there is no current disability found by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to his obstructive sleep apnea or to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional evidence, including medical opinions related to potential toxic exposure claims under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD secondary to his service-connected cirrhosis was denied. The Board finds that VA's duty to assist had been triggered and requires a medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's GERD, including whether it is related to his service-connected cirrhosis.

The Board denied service connection for low back condition, high blood pressure, lower stomach problems, and a disease manifested by acid reflux as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, GERD, IBS, rhinitis, sinusitis, dry skin/scars, a bilateral breast condition, pulled groin, vaginitis, irregular menstruation, cervical spine condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lower extremity nerve damage, ankle strain or Achilles conditions, and foot plantar fasciitis. The effective date for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is denied prior to December 1, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The claims for service connection and increased ratings are not before the Board.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including GERD and IBS, is remanded for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is also remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.