GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2025

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for GERD based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities, but remanded the claim for erectile dysfunction.

The appeals for service connection for GERD and an initial compensable evaluation for chronic headaches were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for GERD and denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, while remanding claims for lumbar spine and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for GERD with IBS, but no higher.

The Board denied a rating more than 10 percent for GERD and denied ratings more than 20 percent for the left and right upper extremity radiculopathies prior to June 20, 2022. However, it granted a 30 percent rating for the left (minor) upper extremity radiculopathy as of June 20, 2022, and a 40 percent rating for the right (major) upper extremity radiculopathy as of June 20, 2022.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for GERD and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right shoulder disability, respiratory disability, sleep apnea, and scars. Service connection was granted for irritable bowel syndrome, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD), headache disability as secondary to PTSD/MDD, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD/MDD.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, acid reflux, atrial fibrillation, and a digestive tract disorder. A compensable rating for perforated ear drum was also denied.

The Board remands the claims for a compensable rating and an increased rating for GERD to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's GERD without considering the ameliorative effects of his medication.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection claims.

The Veteran's request for Higher-Level Review of the denial of his claims was untimely and therefore denied.

The Board granted the restoration of a 30% rating for migraine headaches, an increased rating to 50% for migraine headaches, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for service-connected GERD prior to August 12, 2021, but denied a higher than 30 percent initial rating.

The Board granted an initial 60 percent rating for GERD, finding that the evidence was approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's GERD met or more nearly approximated severe impairment of health during the entire period on appeal.

The Board denied an increased rating for GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for GERD with IBS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were productive of severe impairment of health.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The proposed reductions in the ratings for GERD and lumbosacral strain were dismissed as they were not final decisions, while the issues related to patellofemoral pain syndrome with tendinitis of both knees are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee disabilities and scars, as well as a higher rating for GERD.

The appeal of the proposed reduction in disability rating from 50 percent to 30 percent for migraine headaches is dismissed, and entitlements to an initial compensable rating for mouth and tongue aphthous ulcers, increased rating for left eye old branch retinal artery occlusion with glaucoma, and higher level of special monthly compensation are denied. The service connection claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) claimed as acid reflux and sleep apnea are remanded.