GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left wrist disability remains at a 10 percent rating, GERD received a 60 percent rating from March 6, 2020, and the painful abdominal scar continues to be rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient information regarding in-service stressors and missing service treatment records. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted in 2012, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate because his service-connected disabilities combined to be less than 60% disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia but has remanded the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated septum, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and sinusitis due to potential duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's GERD and allergic rhinitis were granted service connection as they are considered direct service-connected conditions, with symptoms observed during active duty.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to errors in the initial decision-making process, including failing to request a VA Form 21-8940 for TDIU and not obtaining SSA income records. The employment status of the Veteran is also relevant to his disability ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his knee disabilities, as well as GERD. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and GERD were denied on their merits. The claim for sleep apnea is granted, while the claim for GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD has worsened since the last VA examination in 2019, and a new medical evaluation is needed to determine an appropriate disability rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they are final due to the January 2016 rating decision, and there is no jurisdiction over freestanding claims for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing evidence. The issues include nose disability, sinus disability, eye disability, and gastric disability (GERD and persistent nausea).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service acoustic trauma.,No current right arm disability, GERD, or fungal foot condition was found.,Service connection for fungus of the feet is denied.,Bilateral knee disability and facial cyst are remanded for further development.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Minimal small vessel periventricular ischemic white matter disease is remanded as secondary to hypertension.,Chronic headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU benefits are granted with an effective date of January 1, 2018, as the evidence shows he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, skin disability (claimed as folliculitis), chronic fatigue syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed stressor related to PTSD and insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.,There is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's current skin condition or chronic fatigue syndrome are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure and no intercurrent causes. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for hypothyroidism, GERD, sinusitis, migraine headaches, left little finger condition, or left hand scar.,The Veteran's right ankle condition, right ankle lateral reconstructive surgery, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and PTSD are all remanded as the evidence is insufficient to make a determination on these issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,VA will obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's GERD based on exposure to burn pits during service in Southwest Asia.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue and short-term memory impairment are remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology, with consideration of possible overlap with his service-connected psychiatric disabilities and obstructive sleep apnea.,A VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's skin rash, given his participation in a TERA during service in Southwest Asia.,No specific rating or effective date information was provided.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for GERD on and after November 28, 2022. Prior to that date, the Veteran was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability, a bilateral eye disability, left ear hearing loss, a head nodule, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities prior to August 10, 2022, were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected GERD and IBS in the absence of medication.