GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD and skin cancer. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and a respiratory condition (COPD) are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's GI disorders are related to his service, but the AOJ needs to determine which specific deployments and activities caused these conditions. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's GERD with IBS is rated at 30 percent effective April 21, 2020. The Board found the symptoms of severe diarrhea and more or less constant abdominal distress meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 12, 2011 for his entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 12, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to scheduling conflicts preventing VA examinations, and the claim for a higher rating based on multiple noncompensable disabilities is inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.

The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's Esophagus does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to service.,Service connection is denied for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), urinary frequency, insomnia, and lung condition due to asbestos exposure. There is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.

The Board granted service connection for Reactive Airway Disease, Allergic Rhinitis, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), and denied service connection for Chronic Sinusitis and Heart Valve Disease. The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied.

The Veteran's alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic insufficiency and gastroesophageal reflux disease, including gallbladder issues, has been granted a 100% rating effective November 19, 2024.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to an error by the AOJ in providing notice of his right to a hearing before the AOJ.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to errors in the initial decision, including inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal before a hearing was held.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, chronic sinusitis, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a right thigh scar, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for service connection for GERD secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma with metastatic disease, was related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service. The decision is in favor of granting service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his GERD and service connection for hernia repair scars was granted with effective dates of May 21, 2019. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable due to the lack of evidence showing a compensable level of disability.,There is no current diagnosis of urinary frequency, and the Veteran does not have any history or treatment for this condition. Therefore, service connection for urinary frequency is denied.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, and there is no evidence linking his condition to service. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.,VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran's low back and neck conditions are related to his service, including any in-service incidents such as falls and carrying heavy objects.,VA examinations are needed to assess whether the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and IBS are related to his service, specifically his exposure to TERA during service.,VA examinations are required to determine if the Veteran's GERD is related to his service, including any in-service exposures such as TERA.,VA examinations are necessary to evaluate if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is linked to his service, considering his reported in-service exposure to TERA.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection and rating of her right knee disability, migraine, and GERD.

The Board granted an effective date of August 29, 2024 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to continuous pursuit of claims related to multiple service-connected disabilities.