GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for gastrointestinal or gastroesophageal disability, including peptic ulcer disease and GERD due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and hypertension.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and for a temporary total rating based on surgical convalescence. The appeal for service connection of GERD is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine, bilateral foot, hearing loss, gastritis, GERD, sleep apnea, headaches, vision impairment, cervicalgia, knee disabilities, hip strains, and ankle strains.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for hernia, GERD, esophageal spasms and diverticulitis, bladder dysfunction, psoriasiform lesions, an acquired psychiatric disorder, vision problems/decreased vision, inflammatory arthritis, hammer toes and calcaneal spurs (right foot), inflammatory arthritis, hammer toes and calcaneal spurs (left foot), and a disability manifested by chest pain from appellate consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, COPD, and hypertensive vascular disease are remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and verifying service in Thailand and Camp Lejeune. The PACT Act may be considered for these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and hypertension, finding that these conditions are proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened, with the new VA medical opinion confirming that the current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was incurred in service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has also been reopened, as there are STR showing complaints and treatment for headaches during service. The Board found these records to be new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence that relates the current arthritis to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth has been reopened, but no new and material evidence was found to support his contention that dental trauma occurred during service.,Service connection for GERD is granted based on objective indications of a chronic disability (gastroesophageal reflux disease) that became manifest in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's right hip trochanteric bursitis and GERD disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation. Service connection is also being remanded for several other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder have been granted. The heart disability claim is remanded, as are the claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right ankle. The Veteran's gastritis with GERD claim also requires further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, including GERD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, ED, OSA, gastritis and GERD, and tension headaches have been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on the reopening of previously denied claims due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, right knee patellar tendonitis, and left knee patellar tendonitis and plica irritation. The other conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal should be re-docketed under the Legacy system and his March 2019 VA Form 10182 is accepted as a timely NOD for the issues on appeal. The Veteran will have the opportunity to request a hearing before the Board or file a substantive appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, and the remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the claims for service connection of various conditions, including right ankle, cervical spine, right hip, head injuries (including headaches), acquired psychiatric disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral pes planus, and Parkinson's disease. The VA will obtain relevant records from SSA and VA treatment providers and conduct new examinations to provide a clear determination on these claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to allow for a review of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sleep disorder is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision. The Board also remanded several other issues including service connection for bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue, major depressive disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee strain with history of Baker's cyst and effusion, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of regular aid and attendance of another.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and the need for an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure during service, but the VA Secretary determined there is no positive association between such exposure and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development of the Veteran's gastritis disability, including obtaining an examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service-connected conditions or medications.