GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's request for restoration of a 10 percent rating for GERD is granted. The extension of the temporary total disability rating and the higher ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine are remanded due to procedural and substantive issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, hypertension, and GERD. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent prior to November 7, 2019 and granted a 30 percent rating as of that date. The Board found the symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury, heart problem, and bilateral leg conditions have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to warrant readjudication.,Service connection for memory loss and brain lesions is denied due to the lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for GERD service connection, finding that no informal or formal claims were filed prior to October 20, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and esophageal cancer as secondary to GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in-service and have persisted throughout his life. The Board also found that there is a medical connection between GERD and esophageal cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted from March 21, 2022. The appeal period prior to March 21, 2022, is addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including hiatal hernia, esophagitis, and GERD with Schatzki ring, due to environmental exposures in Southwest Asia is remanded. The Board finds the VA opinions inadequate and requires an additional opinion.

The appeal for readjudication of previously denied claims related to hypertension, heart disability, GERD, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD with anxiety and depression, rheumatoid arthritis, and respiratory disorder are dismissed as they were already addressed in a December 2023 Board decision.

The Veteran's GERD was characterized by pyrosis, reflux, and substernal pain but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms were of less severity than required for a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is related to his service, including his participation in toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Board has granted effective dates of February 16, 2022 for the awards of service connection for GERD, residuals of esophageal cancer to include metastatic stomach cancer with partial removal of the stomach, scar of the naval and throat, and anemia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for finger pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a lung condition, and sinusitis due to lack of current disability. The claims for low back and bilateral shoulder conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of PTSD has been withdrawn and dismissed. The claims for service connection of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been granted a 100% rating, GERD has been granted a 30% rating, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 is established. The issue of TDIU prior to August 5, 2016, is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding whether his cervical spine disability, GERD, and progressive muscular atrophy are related to his service-connected conditions or if they are aggravated by them. The VA is required to provide additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to his service-connected residuals of right hand fracture, finding that there was no evidence linking the GERD to either condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's GERD is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, finding that it was caused by medication taken to treat pain from the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection, but the claim for eosinophilic ulcerative colitis remains pending due to a lack of VA Choice treatment records.