GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's acid reflux is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's bilateral shin splints are granted as they began during active service and are related to the time in service running on hard surfaces.,The Veteran's bone spurs bilateral, left toe condition, and right toe condition are granted as they all began during active service and are related to plantar fasciitis from high impact activities.,The Veteran's right knee condition is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's right toe condition (previously denied as right foot plantar fasciitis, resolved) is granted as it began during active service and is related to the time in service from high impact activities.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot condition has led to secondary disabilities including posterior tibial tendonitis, GERD, erectile dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy with PVCs, and low testosterone. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for GERD has been granted at a 10 percent level, while his headaches have not resulted in a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's GERD disability is rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal, with symptoms including persistent epigastric distress and substernal pain.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and for GERD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be readjudicated in light of this new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disorder, including NSAIDs used to treat it. The claim for secondary service connection for GERD is therefore granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of GERD, as it is related to his PTSD. The decision also requires a review on whether the GERD is secondary to his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for hypertension and a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, but granted an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension. The claim for increased GERD was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to his service-connected costochondritis, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between GERD and active-duty service or service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for GERD due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations is not sufficient to establish service connection for GERD, which is not a presumptive condition.

The Veteran's GERD and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine condition is remanded for further examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected PTSD, which is rated as 70 percent disabling since June 16, 2016. The additional disabilities do not meet the criteria for a single disability rated at 100%.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and migraine headaches, as well as multiple painful joints in the back, hands, ankles, and feet.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis and the symptoms are attributed to rhinitis.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for MS with dysphasia and constipation is denied as her symptoms do not warrant a higher combined rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), a stomach disorder (to include GERD), a leg disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, a right hip/thigh disorder, a left hip/thigh disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder for further development.,The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The claims for service connection for headaches, stomachaches/GERD, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been presented to support the claims.,New and relevant evidence having not been presented, readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for these conditions is not warranted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for GERD was denied. The claims of service connection for gout and right ankle disability were remanded.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is November 2019 and not April 2020, as the April 2020 rating decision did not adjudicate the DIC claim. The AOJ must now make a finding regarding whether the Appellant is considered the surviving child of the Veteran and provide complete notice of the decision under 38 U.S.C. § 5104. A VA examination should be afforded to the Appellant to determine if the cause of death is related to service or toxic exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted, and he is now entitled to a 30 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux to include IBS.