GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's deviated septum, allergic rhinitis, GERD with persistent nausea, and migraines are all granted as service-connected.,However, the Board is remanding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye condition.

The Veteran's claims for frequent urination, erectile dysfunction, chronic pain multiple joints, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and chronic bradycardia, acid reflux, bronchitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the presence of service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board found that there was no persuasive evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,The VA examiners provided opinions based on their review of the medical literature and the Veteran's toxic exposure history, concluding that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, and obstructive sleep apnea were not caused by or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, bilateral ankle pain, tendonitis and plantar fasciitis of the bilateral feet, and hernia have been granted. The claim for service connection for a lower back condition to include constant pain, fatty liver disease, multiple times high heat dehydration risk, and hepatitis A has been withdrawn.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, finding that there is a causal relationship between these conditions and active-duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, and hypertension have been granted. The effective date for the service connection of GERD is January 1, 2024.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the deferred issues regarding entitlement to compensation for various conditions, including dry eye syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left carpal tunnel, a left knee disability, a back disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right carpal tunnel, and a right knee disability. The evidence did not support the presence of these conditions at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will consider evidence submitted after the October 2024 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's GERD is presumed to have existed prior to service, but there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was not aggravated by service. The Board has requested an examination to determine if the Veteran's GERD had its onset during or is otherwise etiologically related to active-duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for acid reflux, TBI, and CFS. The claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for GERD was denied as his condition does not include a documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's GERD and lumbar spine disability were denied initial ratings in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent. Service connection for IBS was granted based on the PACT Act, but not prior to its enactment.,An increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was remanded.

Service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is granted as secondary to the service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. Other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of migraines was denied, and the claim for a 30 percent evaluation for GERD was granted. The decision also noted that the Veteran's migraines are not productive of severe economic instability.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease are found to have onset during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran's Raynaud's disease and autoimmune disorder are not found to be related to service.

For the period from February 18, 2018 to May 9, 2020, the Veteran received a noncompensable rating for GERD and was granted a combined rating of 30 percent for IBS with GERD.,From May 10, 2020 onwards, the Veteran received separate ratings: 10 percent for GERD and 30 percent for IBS. The appeal is focused on increasing the GERD rating from 10 to greater than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his disabilities do not meet the requirements of SMC under this section.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress is dismissed due to procedural error. The claims for carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee disabilities, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for vertigo, right hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's GERD and IBS claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, finding that his condition did not onset during service and was not caused by any in-service events. The Board also found that his hearing loss and tinnitus do not cause or aggravate his GERD.