GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD and Barrett's esophagus have been rated at 10 percent since January 20, 2017. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on the symptoms described.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted a 30 percent disability rating, effective June 7, 2018. The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus is not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeals for various disability ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, Hernia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cervical Spine Disability, Left Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (secondary to cervical spine disability), Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (secondary to cervical spine disability), Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (secondary to thoracolumbar spine disability), Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (secondary to thoracolumbar spine disability), and Left Knee Disability (secondary to bilateral foot disabilities, pes planus) and Right Knee Disability (secondary to bilateral foot disabilities, pes planus).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an adequate VA examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea as related to his service-connected GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder, combined with other service-connected disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of May 1, 2018. The Board granted an effective date of May 1, 2018 for the award of TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, and Allergic Rhinitis. The acquired psychiatric condition claim is denied.,Service connection was established for Right Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tendonitis with Degenerative Arthritis.

The Veteran's acid reflux is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's bilateral shin splints are granted as they began during active service and are related to the time in service running on hard surfaces.,The Veteran's bone spurs bilateral, left toe condition, and right toe condition are granted as they all began during active service and are related to plantar fasciitis from high impact activities.,The Veteran's right knee condition is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's right toe condition (previously denied as right foot plantar fasciitis, resolved) is granted as it began during active service and is related to the time in service from high impact activities.

The Veteran's service-connected left foot condition has led to secondary disabilities including posterior tibial tendonitis, GERD, erectile dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy with PVCs, and low testosterone. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for GERD has been granted at a 10 percent level, while his headaches have not resulted in a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's GERD disability is rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal, with symptoms including persistent epigastric distress and substernal pain.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and for GERD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be readjudicated in light of this new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disorder, including NSAIDs used to treat it. The claim for secondary service connection for GERD is therefore granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of GERD, as it is related to his PTSD. The decision also requires a review on whether the GERD is secondary to his PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for hypertension and a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, but granted an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension. The claim for increased GERD was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to his service-connected costochondritis, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between GERD and active-duty service or service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for GERD due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations is not sufficient to establish service connection for GERD, which is not a presumptive condition.

The Veteran's GERD and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine condition is remanded for further examination to determine if it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected PTSD, which is rated as 70 percent disabling since June 16, 2016. The additional disabilities do not meet the criteria for a single disability rated at 100%.