GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for a respiratory disability as it is moot due to the grant of service connection for asthma. The Veteran's GERD is granted an initial rating of 30 percent, but no higher.

The Board denied service connection for gastrointestinal, prostate, kidney, and hypertension disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to chemical exposure or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for generalized anxiety disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition and gastrointestinal condition (GERD) are granted, with the latter being reopened based on new evidence.,Service connection for a back condition is established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to new evidence received since the last final rating decision. The issues of service connection for GERD, right shoulder disability, depressive disorder, low back disability, allergic rhinitis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and foot disabilities are being addressed.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's low back strain and degenerative disc disease are granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease with GERD is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's right knee strain is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's tendonitis of the right ankle is granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.,The Veteran's residuals from injury to the left ankle are granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for chronic gastritis and GERD, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depression has been denied.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for insomnia disorder is also denied, with the case being remanded to consider additional issues.

The Veteran's cause of death, esophageal perforation secondary to gastroesophageal cancer, is found to be related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and other environmental factors. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn and are dismissed due to the withdrawal by his representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD (claimed as ulcers) due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and gastrointestinal disorder are granted as service connection is established due to the benefit of doubt being afforded.,Service connection for GERD is granted, with the Board finding that it began during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PFB, knee disabilities, and hip disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not support higher ratings based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding various conditions and ratings, as the Veteran requested to withdraw all claims.

The Veteran's GERD and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been remanded for further development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's kidney disorder, gastroesophageal disorder, gastrointestinal/bowel disorder, headaches, low back disorder, and neck disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their etiology. The claims will be considered in light of the Veteran's service in the Gulf War and his reported symptoms during service.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's Barrett's esophagus with esophagitis and GERD, finding that his symptoms are productive of a severe impairment of health.

The Veteran was granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for GERD due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service and a need for further development of the record, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion on whether GERD is related to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accident. Additionally, the AOJ must determine if the Veteran participated in a TERA and provide a specific addendum opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of considerable impairment of health.,The Veteran's CTS of the right median nerve and left median nerve are both rated at 10 percent, with no evidence of moderate or severe incomplete paralysis.