GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 30 percent evaluation. The claims for service connection of left knee and right shoulder strain are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for GERD and hernia service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to in-service lifting heavy equipment and eating MREs.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's GERD and his service-connected psychiatric disorder, as well as whether the GERD would have been less severe but for the psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's GERD is granted an increased rating to 30 percent, effective from the date of the appeal. The Veteran's eczema of the hands remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at 30 percent, effective October 2, 2012. The earlier effective date for the PTSD rating has been granted to October 2, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD is due to medications required for his service-connected migraine, including migraine variants associated with fibromyalgia. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the August 2022 AOJ supplemental claim decision on appeal, but any evidence submitted after that date will be considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome have been denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, MDD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep apnea, and hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the appeal for a TDIU claim due to concerns raised in an August 2024 Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The JMR found that the January 2023 VA opinion was not supported and that there were inconsistencies with other opinions. A new VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, dry eyes, skin rash, sarcoidosis, IBS, and acid reflux. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence of their onset during or shortly after his military service.

The Board has identified errors in the VA examinations and remands the claims for cervical strain, bilateral knee pain, and GERD with irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's conditions are related to service but further examination is needed to determine if they were aggravated by other disabilities or due to non-service-connected factors.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 30 percent for GERD with Barrett's esophagus was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in August 2024.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of significant impairment in health.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 10% disability rating, but the Board has granted him a 60% rating based on his symptoms despite taking medications. The decision finds that without medication, his GERD would be more severe and productive of severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, initially claimed as PTSD, is granted. The claims of service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disorder, a digestive disorder, and a cervical spine disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and OSA, both secondary to PTSD, are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD, IBS, and gall bladder removal are granted as secondary to her service-connected PTSD with panic disorder and MDD.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to tinnitus, but has remanded the cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea due to potential toxic exposure.