GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was incomplete, as it did not address both causation and aggravation aspects of secondary service connection. The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to service-connected PTSD and GERD is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for chronic bronchitis cough was granted. The left wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities (anxiety, insomnia, short-term memory loss and lack of concentration, social adjustment disorder with anger issues), bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, vitamin D deficiency, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and skin disability (shingles) were denied. The Veteran's upper respiratory infection(s) other than chronic bronchitis was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The GERD claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and his GERD and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% since December 8, 2023. The Board found no evidence of higher ratings prior to March 18, 2022.

The Board has remanded several claims due to duty-to-assist errors, including the need to obtain SSA records related to the Veteran's disability benefits application and earnings history.

The Veteran's GERD and helicobacter pylori bacteria of the stomach have been granted a 30 percent rating, effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis.,PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating, but are sufficient for a 70% disability rating.

Service connection for GERD and gastritis is denied.,The Veteran's intestinal disorder, to include IBS, remains under review due to a lack of clear etiology.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent, but no higher.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for constipation, sinus disability (sinusitis), left hand disability, right hand disability, and hemorrhoids are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bladder disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and kidney disorder are presumed to be related to service exposure at Fort McClellan. The AOJ did not adequately consider this presumption in the initial decision, so the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for a disorder characterized by abnormal weight/gain, brain damage, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic muscle and joint pain, diabetes mellitus type II, irritable bowel syndrome, left rotator cuff tear, loss of smell, loss of taste, other specified depressive disorder, skin disorder, umbilical hernia, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines, obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, and right knee scars were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,Specifically, the VA examination reports showed that the Veteran's migraines did not result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, his obstructive sleep apnea did not require use of a CPAP machine, his GERD did not meet the criteria for 30 percent or higher ratings under either DC 7203 or DC 7206, and his right knee scars were not deep or nonlinear enough to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's GERD with gastric ulcer was granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to October 3, 2013, and a 30 percent rating from October 3, 2013.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for tension headaches and a 60 percent rating for GERD, but remanded the claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is denied as there is no probative, competent medical evidence that the Veteran had dilation of the esophagus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine injury, migraines, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing her appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, erectile dysfunction, and IBS due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's GERD, erectile dysfunction, and IBS are being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board granted disability ratings of 70 percent, 30 percent, and 20 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) respectively, effective November 25, 2020. The ratings for other conditions were denied.