GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease/hiatal hernia was denied because it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not etiologically related to service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran's skin cancer claim was remanded due to the PACT Act requiring VA to provide an examination and medical opinion regarding its relationship to herbicide agent exposure.,The Board found that new evidence from the PACT Act required a de novo review of the skin cancer service connection claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and/or disabilities. Service connection is also granted for GERD, migraine headaches, TBI, neck disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of December 15, 2010, as the Board finds that he was unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities starting from this date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's service connection claim for a gastrointestinal disease, including GERD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his gastrointestinal issues and secondary service connection due to PTSD. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current gastrointestinal issues are related to his in-service symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and some other conditions due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA and GERD due to a lack of VA examination and inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's exposure during service in Kuwait is considered, but further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, lumbar spine disability, and GERD due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service records show treatment for respiratory issues in service, but VA examiners have provided conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's CAD is granted a 100% rating effective September 15, 2015. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is mooted as part of the CAD claim. SMC at the housebound level is granted starting from January 3, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for central disc herniation at the L4-L5 level, persistent depressive disorder, and GERD have been reopened. However, the original decisions denying these conditions remain unchanged as there is no established causal link to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and OSA. The case is now before the Board again.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD; sleep disorder; lumbar spine disability; right lower extremity disability; left lower extremity disability; skin disability; right shoulder disability; left shoulder disability; bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; headaches; and dizziness. The Veteran's period of active service is not established as honorable.

Service connection has been granted for GERD.,The Veteran's claim for migraine-headaches disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and the headaches. The issue of whether the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left-foot 2nd toe disability and/or right knee disability remains unresolved.,The Veteran's claim for left knee condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between his service-connected left-foot 2nd toe disability, right knee disability, and a diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of GERD, finding that there is no in-service event or injury to attribute the current disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), as the preexisting conditions did not worsen during service. SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Other claims, including those related to vertigo, GERD, skin rash, muscle and joint pain, fibromyalgia, and neurological condition, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dysphasia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with dysphagia as secondary to her service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are remanded due to unclear nature of the disability claimed, inadequate medical opinions regarding causation/aggravation, and need for clarification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis with gastroesophageal reflux disease and achalasia is granted an increased rating to 30 percent, based on frequent exacerbations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, OSA, and GERD are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development related to potential toxic exposure under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and hiatal hernia (claimed as GERD) have been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a hearing.