GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

Service connection for psoriasis is granted. The Veteran's gastric condition, including a glomus tumor and hiatal hernia, has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began. Service connection for hyposmia remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for hearing loss.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee disability, gout, acid reflux (GERD), and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and insomnia) as well as hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to a lack of compliance with the duty to assist and an incomplete examination. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether GERD is at least as likely as not caused by intestinal parasites and GI complaints during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete reasoning in the previous VA opinions. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorders, including GERD, diverticulitis, and ulcers, are being reviewed again for a thorough evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's claimed GERD or acid reflux is related to service, including due to toxic exposures in Southwest Asia. The examiner must consider all potential exposure activities and provide opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.,Initial compensable ratings are granted for left and right ankle disabilities, effective prior to January 9, 2023.,A 10 percent evaluation is granted for metatarsalgia and status-post right foot navicular fracture.,Initial 30 percent evaluations are granted for left and right knee disabilities (limitation of flexion).,GERD with hiatal hernia and chronic diarrhea warrant a 30 percent evaluation.,Service connection for TBI is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for addendum opinions on the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected varicose veins of the left lower extremity, entitlement to service connection for onychomycosis, entitlement to service connection for a disorder manifesting in loss of teeth, and entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection of acid reflux, hypertension, and heart disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; hypertension/high blood pressure; heart condition; GERD; left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy; left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy; and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been reopened. The Board is remanding these issues due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disability (shortness of breath) has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease and a TDIU due to new evidence received since the last Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether current migraines are related to service, and thus grants service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of updated examination for the service-connected hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis, gastric erosions, and gastric ulcers. The appellant's last VA examination was in October 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being reopened and granted.,Service connection for diarrhea as a qualifying chronic disability under the PACT Act is granted.,GERD, sinus disability, residuals of a nasal fracture, jaw disability, neck disability, and back disability are all remanded for further development due to the provisions of the PACT Act regarding toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).,Bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected back disability is also being remanded.,

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD and gastritis due to insufficient evidence in their favor. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's GERD disability was rated at 10 percent from January 27, 2017. The rating was reduced to 0 percent effective November 7, 2018, but this reduction was improper and the 10 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding increased ratings and effective dates for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine, GERD, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, vitiligo, tinnitus, anal fissures, a jaw disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not begin during active service and are not related to any in-service injury or disease.