GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, GERD with IBS, or headaches. Effective dates were also denied for various claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations. The appeals are now pending before the AOJ.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations of left hip disability, right hip disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea as the Veteran filed a Supplemental Claim before filing the VA Form 10182 appeal. The March 2025 VA Form 10182 was an impermissible concurrent election.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence was submitted for the claims of OSA, GERD, and CFS. These claims are being remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of considerable impairment of health. The claims for increased ratings for left hip disability based on limitation of extension, right hip disability based on limitation of extension, left hip disability based on limitation of flexion, and right hip disability based on limitation of abduction are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is caused or aggravated by his use of pain medication for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as there was no diagnosis of GERD at the time of the August 2020 rating decision, and the Veteran did not have a current disability.

The Veteran's disability rating for GERD with IBS was reduced from 30% to 10%, but the Board found this reduction improper and reinstated the original 30% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and OSA are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The RO must provide a TERA addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's GERD and his active service, including Agent Orange exposure. Additionally, an addendum opinion is needed on whether the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus or major depressive disorder aggravates his OSA.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD with dysphagia was dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD, but has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and GERD.

Service connection is granted for kidney disease. Service connection is denied for lumbar radiculopathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and colon polyps.

The Veteran's GERD with esophagitis is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service, as well as the potential impact of her TERA exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by evidence of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection is denied for fibromyalgia due to insufficient medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's GERD to include cholelithiasis status post cholecystectomy is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The issue of service connection for scar status post cholecystectomy is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD and IBS, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by fentanyl intoxication, which was a result of his service-connected left ankle disability. The Board found that the Veteran's addiction to pain medication contributed substantially and materially to his death, and he did not engage in willful misconduct.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in the October 2025 Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR) regarding the severity of the Veteran's GERD symptoms and their relation to her medications. The case is now being reviewed with a retrospective medical opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's GERD symptoms have been rated at 30 percent since the original claim, with considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of January 9, 2023 for a 70% evaluation for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and for individual unemployability.