GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD, constipation, and diarrhea. The decision finds that his symptoms began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's claim for left knee disability to include as secondary to service-connected back disability is denied due to lack of a nexus between the knee condition and service.

A 30 percent rating for GERD is granted. The claim for a higher rating for rhinitis prior to January 8, 2020 and until May 3, 2023 is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Higher ratings are granted for right knee meniscal tear/patellar chondromalacia, right thigh strain (limitation of extension), and right thigh strain (limitation of flexion). The claims for service connection regarding left ankle condition, right ankle condition, and left thigh strain are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for a right great toe disability. The issues of service connection for lower back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, asbestosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are also being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if GERD is related to the Veteran's military service, particularly his exposure to heavy atmospheric smoke during deployments in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded both the tinnitus and GERD/IBS claims, indicating that evidence not considered in the original decision may be relevant to these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy (left hip), left hip disability, left ankle disability, and left foot disability are all granted. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained full-time employment throughout the appeal period. The Board denied his claim for TDIU because he is able to maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that additional development is required, including VA examinations and a review of her medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to tend to basic functions of self-care and required the regular aid and attendance of another individual, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is moot due to the inclusion of this benefit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for panic disorder, GERD, and service connection for a right knee condition due to outstanding private treatment records not being obtained. The issues remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and failure to obtain addendum opinions. The Veteran's representative provided reasons for non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease, finding that consideration of intermediate conditions such as obesity is necessary due to her multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to her service-connected orthopedic disabilities. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gastroesophageal disability, including throat cancer and Barrett's esophagus, and skin cancer due to unclear exposure information. The Veteran served as a chemical parts specialist and had duties involving mustard gas shells at Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and thoracic strain disability, finding that there is at least a balance of evidence in favor of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arachnoid cyst of the brain with headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing his history of an arachnoid cyst.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded as there is no supporting evidence linking it to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear is currently rated as noncompensable, and there is no indication that it has worsened since the last rating decision.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds remand necessary to determine if his sleep apnea is related to his GERD or another condition.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine disorder, respiratory disorder, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's hypertension was rated at noncompensable prior to September 20, 2023, and at 10 percent after that date. The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent prior to September 20, 2023, and at 30 percent from that date.,The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is remanded for further development.