GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety and depression, as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability. Service connection for the stomach condition (GERD) is remanded due to insufficient examination regarding its relationship with PTSD.

The appeal of the issues related to right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, low back disorder, GERD, and residuals of head injury (including TBI and headaches) has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal.

The Board has identified additional evidence that was not considered in the previous decision and has requested a waiver for its consideration. The claims are being remanded to allow for readjudication of these issues.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for service connection for various conditions, including throat pain and indigestion, GERD with hiatal hernia, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), joint pain, joint swelling, neck pain, muscle cramps, dizziness and lightheadedness, cold symptoms, cold toes, abdominal pain, white patches on skin, rashes and hives, and hypersomnolence. These requests are being remanded for further review.,The Veteran's appeal also includes a request for an increased rating for migraine headaches, which has been granted with a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no current disability. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hydrocele is also denied due to lack of evidence of atrophy or removal of both testes.,Multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are remanded, including lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, groin strain, convergence insufficiency, restless leg syndrome, eczematosis, serborrheic dermatitis, TBI with associated migraine headaches and PTSD, right knee strain, and GERD. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease with secondary fatigue and GERD is rated at 30 percent, while his pruritic papular eruptions (eczema) are rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo has been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, as well as GERD and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues of GERD and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's neck condition, claimed as C-6, 7, 8 compression, is remanded for further evaluation.,Issues of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for pancreatitis with GERD and hypertension was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show frequent attacks of abdominal pain, loss of normal body weight, or severe malnutrition required for a higher rating.,For hypertension, the Board noted that while diastolic pressure was sometimes above 100 during the appeal period, it never reached 110 or more. Therefore, the current 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7101 is maintained.

The Veteran's service connection for hemorrhoids, mild TMJ disorder with bruxism, left carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, persistent depressive disorder, GERD with IBS, shin splint, right lower extremity, and shin splint, left lower extremity have been granted. The Veteran's service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome has been granted at a 30 percent rating effective from November 21, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim for acid reflux due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions and an inadequate rationale in the May 2022 VA medical opinion. The Veteran's acid reflux is being reviewed again, this time by a new clinician who must provide opinions on whether it was caused or aggravated by medication for his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, an updated VA examination, and further review of the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and diverticulitis, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for sleep apnea and GERD, finding that both conditions are related to his service-connected spinocerebellar ataxia and sleep apnea respectively.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran still needs VR&E services and to assess her current employment status, education, and skills. The goal is to provide appropriate vocational rehabilitation services based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating, but no higher. The heart disability and hypertension are granted effective from August 10, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting medical evidence regarding current diagnoses, need for a TERA opinion, and potential service connection based on presumed exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the necessary VA examinations. The PACT Act does not apply as the Veteran is not a Persian Gulf Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added since the last decision, and the Veteran did not respond within the required timeframe. The AOJ will review the new evidence and issue a decision.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and rating decisions, including service connection claims and initial ratings for various conditions. The Veteran's sleep apnea remains at a 50% rating due to the use of a CPAP machine but no evidence of respiratory failure or cor pulmonale. For thoracic muscle strain, the Veteran received a 20% rating based on limited range of motion. GERD and allergic rhinitis were granted initial ratings of 30% and 40%, respectively. Migraines are rated at 50% effective January 2, 2018. Service connection claims for hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and arthralgias, sinusitis, TBI, vertigo and dizziness, memory loss and concentration, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all remanded.