GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is denied as the medical evidence does not support an increased rating due to lack of symptoms such as dysphagia, pyrosis, regurgitation or considerable impairment of health.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD has been granted, and the issue is dismissed. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for a recurrent bilateral foot disability to include pes planus/flatfeet, other than Haglund's deformity.

The Board has remanded the claims for duodenal ulcer and gastric disorders due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's other gastric disorders are being evaluated, including whether they are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected duodenal ulcer.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as all claims are related to a deceased Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD and hiatal hernia, migraine headaches, and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for GERD and hiatal hernia, and denied an initial compensable rating for migraines. A 50 percent rating was granted for PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, including as due to Gulf War exposures and secondary to his service-connected hypertension, is being remanded. The VA has failed to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD.

The Veteran's headaches and GERD are granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services due to his meeting the threshold requirements for entitlement but not having an employment handicap, as determined by a VA counseling psychologist (CP) or VRC.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the proposed decreases in ratings for various conditions and the propriety of discontinuing SMC benefits. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as proximately due to his service-connected major depressive disorder, while other issues are denied.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a rating of 30 percent effective November 1, 2020. Service connection for esophagitis and hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the AOJ failing to comply with prior Board directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to a failure to obtain VA examinations that addressed the severity of his psychiatric disability, as well as whether any service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated hypertension and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remand have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.,An effective date prior to March 28, 2018, for PTSD and an increased rating for tonsillectomy are also denied.

The Board has granted a request to readjudicate the claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. Service connection is granted for GERD and tinnitus, but the claims are remanded for further development regarding lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss.

Service connection for a right knee disability, dermatitis, and thyroid cancer has been granted due to new evidence received after the April 2020 denial. Service connection for GERD is remanded as secondary to tooth condition.,The Veteran's right knee disability had its onset in service, while his dermatitis began shortly after discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as service connection for bilateral leg and shoulder disorders are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The RO must schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, and migraine headaches due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the claims on appeal due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's complete medical and personnel records from the Texas Army National Guard are requested.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for his service-connected GERD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.