GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for IBS with GERD and denied an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.

The Board granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma as secondary to actinic keratosis, which is a progression of the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for painful scars of the face was denied earlier than October 20, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding a causal relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his military service. The claim for GERD was remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes mellitus, type II, due to deficiencies in the duty-to-assist.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, right foot plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hand joint pain to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for GERD and hypertension based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded the claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The claims for increased ratings for left shoulder, right shoulder, and GERD are remanded to ensure the Veteran is afforded the opportunity to attend examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma to obtain a new VA medical opinion that adequately addresses the Veteran's assertions of herbicide exposure during his Vietnam-era service.

The Veteran's GERD and PUD have been rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular rating allowed under the former version of DC 7346. The Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The appeal of the September 2024 denial of service connection for a right knee disability and a right shoulder disability is dismissed as these claims are now moot due to subsequent grants of service connection. The initial rating for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) was denied, while an initial rating of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted.

The Board granted service connection for GERD and hypothyroidism, denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for laryngectomy status post throat cancer, erectile dysfunction, residuals of meningoencephalitis: word finding difficulty, loss of balance, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria. The Board also granted a 20 percent rating prior to March 19, 2024, for residuals of meningoencephalitis.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied it for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The remaining claims for various other conditions were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and reinstated a 30 percent rating for migraines effective August 5, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected restrictive lung disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, benign prostatic hyperplasia, insomnia, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for GERD and service connection for OSA, secondary to the Veteran's insomnia with major depressive disorder and foot condition.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a 30 percent rating, while the left ankle strain was denied an increased rating between January 25, 2022, and June 8, 2024, but granted a 20 percent rating from June 8, 2024, forward.

The Board remands the claims for an initial increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for GERD, chronic headaches, left and right hip conditions, and a lumbar spine condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including ankle pain, chronic lower back pain, GERD, hair thinning/loss, IBS, and others, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including GERD, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability, and multiple musculoskeletal and other conditions, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's active duty service.