GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently enrolled in college and has attempted to re-enter the workforce. The Board finds that his unemployability is due to his mental health conditions rather than his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for tinnitus and an increased rating for ulcers with GERD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service connected, and his GERD rating is denied. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability was related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation regarding service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for short term memory loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, sinusitis, and GERD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for neck disability, erectile dysfunction, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10 percent since the August 2022 rating decision. The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to inadequate examination prior to the rating decision and the Veteran's indication of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is remanded due to inadequate examination.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lower back disability is remanded due to the inconsistency between the September 2022 and June 2014 VA examinations regarding IVDS status.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both remanded as no peripheral nerves examination has been conducted yet.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to March 14, 2017 on an extraschedular basis is remanded due to the lack of evidence showing her inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment before that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than what has already been assigned.

The Board has granted a maximum disability rating of 60 percent for the service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) effective from March 23, 2021. The Veteran's symptoms have more nearly approximated the criteria for a maximum 60 percent disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection, effectively dismissing these issues.

The Veteran's dyspepsia (also claimed as gastroesophageal reflux disease) is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from April 13, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, spider bite residuals, hemorrhoids, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to duty to assist errors in prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected somatic symptom disorder, migraine headaches, and right wrist condition.,Both conditions are now considered service connected due to their association with the Veteran's pre-existing disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the appropriate effective dates were determined to be later than the dates of receipt of her claims or the date entitlement arose.

Service connection for arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is granted.,Service connection for bilateral pseudophakia and arcus senilis (eye disability), including as secondary to the service-connected AVM and headaches, is denied. The issue of service connection for GERD is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The gastrointestinal, upper respiratory, knee, hip, and foot disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia with intermittent chest pains and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7346.,Entitlement to increased ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy remains denied.

The Veteran's mixed sleep apnea and GERD are being remanded for further evaluation due to a duty to assist error. The VA examiner is requested to provide opinions on whether the conditions are aggravated by service-connected asthma, allergic sinusitis, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, or asthma.