GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The VA needs to obtain an updated opinion addressing whether GERD is related to service, including considering the Veteran's reported symptoms.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for hemorrhoids and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are granted, with a 10 percent rating for each condition starting from January 25, 2017. The service connection claim for right ear pain is denied.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 28, 2010 for the awards of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as of February 7, 2017. Prior to that date, the evidence did not demonstrate sufficient disability to meet TDIU criteria.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis, with GERD and achalasia, was granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent prior to February 22, 2023. Since then, the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was granted for a gastrointestinal condition (GERD), with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether it is caused by medication taken for other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate VA examinations and failure to verify in-service toxic exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on a secondary basis, finding that the Veteran's use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) associated with treatment for his service-connected disabilities is etiologically related to his GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for H. pylori condition and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, finding no current diagnosis of H. pylori infection and insufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating for GERD.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for irritable bowel syndrome and recognition as the helpless child of his stepson are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and missing SSA records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating under applicable schedular criteria.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurogenic bladder, claimed as secondary to degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine. The GERD and headache disability claims have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder and hypertension are being remanded for further examination and analysis due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia stricture of the esophagus with GERD is rated at 60 percent, which is already the maximum schedular evaluation available. The Board denied an increased rating as there are no higher ratings legally available under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, and sinusitis, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's vertigo secondary to his service-connected tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's right elbow disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity finger and/or hand disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's hernia is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's hypertension to include as due to Camp Lejeune service is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease should be remanded to the AOJ for further review of additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's chest pain, pleurisy, diverticulitis, perforated colon, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related to service. The VA will conduct a respiratory examination to assess the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent prior to July 27, 2023, and increased to 60 percent thereafter. The claim for an increased rating remains before the Board.,The Veteran's tonsillectomy with pharyngeal pain requires a new VA examination to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of symptoms such as considerable impairment of health.