GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim of service connection for acid reflux disease, previously also claimed as stomach condition and digestive system condition, is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that is relevant to the issue.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it clearly and unmistakably preexisted any of her periods of active military service, or if it arose during those periods.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, considering symptoms such as persistent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation. The rating is based on current symptomatology without severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's Crohn's disease with GERD, while discounting the ameliorative effects of medication. The issue of service connection for GERD is also on appeal and will be addressed in conjunction with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding potential exposure to toxic exposures during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Chronic Headaches, painful abdomen scars, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, hiatal hernia, achalasia, and hiccough, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not due to environmental exposures in Southwest Asia. The decision also found that the Veteran's medications used to treat his service-connected foot and back condition exacerbated his stomach condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking any service-connected condition to his suicide.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for hypertension and GERD was granted. The effective dates are November 1, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding severance of service connection for hemorrhoids and denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for a back disability, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis. His other conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, as secondary to PTSD, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney requesting withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service-connected left tibia/fibula stress fracture with shin splints and left heel spur.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for migraine headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions considering potential exposure to toxic substances during his military service.

The Veteran's small bowel obstruction, status post resection of small intestine, with IBS, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted under the current criteria. The service connection claim for hiatal hernia and GERD secondary to small bowel obstruction is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence had been received and reconsidered the claims but confirmed and continued the previous denials. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and GERD are remanded for additional development to address pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a 30 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran's October 2020 request to continue the appeal under the modernized review system was invalid and not properly before the Board.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of February 19, 2011 for his TDIU and DEA eligibility due to service-connected PTSD and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's lung cancer and COPD are granted service connection due to exposure to toxic substances in service. Hypertension is also granted service connection based on the same exposure. Service connection for sinusitis, acid reflux, constipation (IBS), and PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and bladder disability have been denied. The Board has found no evidence of current disabilities under DSM-5.,The Veteran's claim for GERD is remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.