GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical records, attempt to locate the Veteran and schedule him for examinations, and provide nexus opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's lung disability (including granulomatous disease, bullous lung disease, and noncancerous lung mass) is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's skin condition prior to August 10, 2022, on a basis other than the PACT Act, is granted due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease, duodenal ulcer, and GERD are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, left knee condition, right knee condition, and tinnitus claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's right ankle condition and GERD claims are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine their relationship to service.

Effective dates of November 28, 1997 are granted for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder with anxiety reaction (previously PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residual scars (x3), anterior trunk.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD was granted, with the effective date being April 30, 2024 and ending on November 12, 2024.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for IBS service connection and a rating increase for IBS with GERD are dismissed. The Board found that the claims were not timely filed within one year of the final rating decisions.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. Service connection for GERD is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected GERD is being remanded due to the need for clarification on how medication use affects the disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 4, 2022 for the grant of service connection for GERD is granted based on the submission of a fax transmission receipt and an affidavit attesting to the timely submission.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is related to the Isoniazid medication taken to treat his TB exposure during service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tremors and neurobehavioral effects, as well as gastrointestinal disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's asthma is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also grants a TDIU prior to April 15, 2015 due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's exposure history. The AOJ must verify the details of the Veteran's ILER, prepare appropriate VA TERA memoranda, and afford him new VA opinions.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been rated at 30 percent since November 1, 2002. The VA examiner found the Veteran had symptoms such as dysphagia, pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, pain in his left shoulder/chest without material weight loss or severe impairment of health.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected diverticulitis with diverticulosis, to include GERD; service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); and service connection for psoriasis. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for additional information.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, right and left hip, and right and left knee disabilities as well as gastrointestinal disability (including GERD, gastritis, gastroenteritis) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease as secondary to OSA. The evidence supports the conclusion that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for GERD, service connection for left knee condition, and service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and migraine headache disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, other than dementia is denied. The effective date of service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is set at August 10, 2022.