GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for service connection for migraines and GERD to obtain medical opinions pursuant to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) and celiac disease have been granted initial increased ratings of 30 percent each, effective June 1, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim. Therefore, service connection for GERD is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypertension due to potential exposure to toxic substances during military service. The VA is required to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's participation in TERA.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent since January 2021, with symptoms of persistently recurring epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health. The Board found that these symptoms meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under DC 7346 as it existed prior to May 19, 2024.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as due to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis or right ankle degenerative arthritis and NSAIDS, finding that these conditions did not cause or contribute to his current GERD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC HB was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for SMC HB based on his service-connected disabilities and unemployability.

The Veteran's headaches, GERD, and severe anxiety are being remanded for further review due to potential service connection under the PACT Act. The VA will attempt to obtain private treatment records from Dr. F. and provide a VA examination for GERD.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a disability rating of 30 percent, effective December 17, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no new and relevant evidence to support reopening of the claims. The Board finds that the current gastrointestinal disability, low back disability, and right knee disability are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a paid and due audit of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits, specifically from February 18, 1982, to the present. The issue is whether VA should pay interest on the retroactive payment of $1269.00 in compensation benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and fibromyalgia have been granted with effective dates of September 18, 2017, and September 16, 2016 respectively.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain her Reserve service records and provide TERA opinions regarding certain conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of acid reflux, upper respiratory infection, and skin rash as they were not properly appealed within one year. The claim for bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and elbow/shoulder disabilities, respectively. The decision is based on a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and Barrett's esophagus due to a lack of medical nexus opinions regarding their relationship to service, particularly exposure to environmental hazards. The Veteran is also seeking secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for GERD from 60 percent to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's GERD was caused by NSAIDs taken for his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions, and the Board granted secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, with the restoration of disability ratings for GERD, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy from March 22, 2019. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains at 70%.