GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claim is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of GERD.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted from August 25, 2008. The effective date for TDIU is established based on the earliest claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, while the effective date for DEA benefits is set to match the TDIU grant.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent, effective February 1, 2017. The Veteran's cervical strain is denied a higher initial disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) and diverticulosis and esophagitis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection was denied for a heart murmur and PTSD.

The Veteran's GERD with cholecystectomy is granted an initial 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the September 2020 supplemental rating decision.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) and granted service connection for sleep apnea. The claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, hemorrhoids, right elbow disability, and left elbow disability have been dismissed as they were not included in the original appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as insomnia) has also been dismissed. The evidence does not support a finding that this condition began during service or is related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 0 percent disabling during the period on appeal, and the Board found that his impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder and GERD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD is caused by his service-connected disabilities, to include the medications prescribed for treatment thereof. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to service connection for GERD have been met on a secondary basis.

Service connection for hypothyroidism is granted due to herbicide agent exposure in service.,An initial rating of 60 percent, but no greater, is granted for kidney disease based on GFR readings from March and October 2023.,Service connection for GERD is remanded as the evidence does not support a finding that it is due to kidney impairment.,Service connection for sleep apnea secondary to kidney disease is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for hyperthyroidism is remanded as the opinion did not address herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's GERD was first manifested during his service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an effective date prior to November 23, 2016, for PTSD service connection and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 3, 2020, for duodenal ulcer with gastroesophageal reflux disease, hepatitis B, and esophagus stricture due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for gastritis, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease prior to October 25, 2017 was denied. A 10 percent disability rating was granted on and after October 25, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including chronic lung disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Schatzki ring, venous stasis edema of the bilateral lower extremities, and seborrheic keratosis.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including dental condition, GERD, right carpel tunnel syndrome/right upper extremity nerve damage, right shoulder condition, cervical strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, tension headaches, and TDIU.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including dyspepsia and GERD, is being remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected left leg shin splint or medication. The matter of direct service connection is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for GERD have been granted. The effective date is set at October 6, 2017.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).,The Board denied both claims, finding that the earliest effective dates were September 26, 2019.