GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected GERD was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that more closely approximated those required for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to his service, specifically exposure as a combat engineer. The AOJ should obtain an examination and opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition with arthritis, but as the effective date is post-dates the filing of the claim in this appeal, the Board will grant service connection to allow the AOJ to review the effective date. The claims for left knee disability and right knee disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors warranting addendum opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for GERD and erectile dysfunction were dismissed. The appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted an initial 30% evaluation. The cervical spine issues are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of February 1, 2018, but not earlier, for service connection for a back disability is granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for various conditions and remanded issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee limitation of flexion, left shin splints, GERD, nephrolithiasis, PFB, and ED are all rated at the maximum available rating (50%) for each condition.

The Veteran's GERD is granted with a 30 percent evaluation. The claims for service connection of left knee and right shoulder strain are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for GERD and hernia service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to in-service lifting heavy equipment and eating MREs.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's GERD and his service-connected psychiatric disorder, as well as whether the GERD would have been less severe but for the psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's GERD is granted an increased rating to 30 percent, effective from the date of the appeal. The Veteran's eczema of the hands remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia is rated at 30 percent, effective October 2, 2012. The earlier effective date for the PTSD rating has been granted to October 2, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current GERD is due to medications required for his service-connected migraine, including migraine variants associated with fibromyalgia. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the August 2022 AOJ supplemental claim decision on appeal, but any evidence submitted after that date will be considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome have been denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, MDD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep apnea, and hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the appeal for a TDIU claim due to concerns raised in an August 2024 Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The JMR found that the January 2023 VA opinion was not supported and that there were inconsistencies with other opinions. A new VA examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, dry eyes, skin rash, sarcoidosis, IBS, and acid reflux. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence of their onset during or shortly after his military service.

The Board has identified errors in the VA examinations and remands the claims for cervical strain, bilateral knee pain, and GERD with irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's conditions are related to service but further examination is needed to determine if they were aggravated by other disabilities or due to non-service-connected factors.