GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for irritable colon syndrome with gastric ulcer, GERD, and diverticulitis were denied as the service connection was severed on July 31, 2020. The Board found that the requests must be denied due to the absence of legal merit.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, including skin condition, flat feet, GERD, left knee condition, left wrist condition, and left wrist scar. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and hypertension were granted service connection.,Several issues are remanded for further review, including initial ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a stomach condition, including GERD and gastritis, as well as his claim for a stomach ulcer due to incomplete service treatment records. Further examination is needed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including anxiety and PTSD, GERD, hypothyroidism, joint pain, a low back condition, and neck sprain are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will seek verification of the Veteran's in-service stressor events.

The Veteran's GERD is remanded for a new medical opinion to address the onset and relationship of his condition during service or with any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a new medical opinion to address its onset and relationship with any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded for a new medical opinion to address their relationship with any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected.,Service connection for gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJ) related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for chronic gastritis and GERD, including whether it is related to his in-service food poisoning episodes or his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has remanded the claims for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to insufficient medical opinions addressing their etiology. The OSA claim is also remanded as there are inadequate VA medical opinions regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent evaluation is the maximum available.,Service connection for high cholesterol is denied because it does not meet VA compensation criteria.,A TDIU award is granted based on service-connected disabilities preventing substantial gainful employment.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizophrenia remains remanded due to potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions.,Claims for higher ratings for right rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are also remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and metatarsalgia remain remanded.,Claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergic rhinitis, internal hemorrhoids, right colon adenoma, umbilical hernia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.,The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for a right colon adenoma is also remanded.,Service connection claims for an umbilical hernia secondary to the right colon adenoma and diabetes mellitus remain remanded.,Claims for service connection for heart disability, including hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and insomnia are all remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds another remand necessary to address his claim for an increased rating.,Service connection for COPD is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, MGUS, and prostate cancer. Service connection is remanded for thyroid disorder, multiple sclerosis (MS), neurological disorder claimed as Parkinson's disease, GERD, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hand arthritis.

The Veteran's back disability resulted in limited forward flexion of less than 30 degrees from February 14, 2014, to November 15, 2015, and January 1, 2016, to August 31, 2021.,From May 24, 2013, to February 13, 2014, and as of September 1, 2021, the Veteran's back disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, infertility, GERD, a right shoulder condition, a hip condition, a headache condition, and chronic sinusitis have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his left knee condition.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS are rated at a maximum of 30 percent, with the Board finding no evidence to support higher ratings. The issue of service connection for OSA is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for several of the Veteran's claims, including GERD, peripheral neuropathy, right hip replacement, right knee status post total knee replacement, and thoracic aortic aneurysm. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or conflicting theories.

The Veteran's claims for GERD, Barrett's esophagus, skin cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer have been denied. The cases of skin cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record, and the Veteran did not respond to a request for a waiver of AOJ consideration. The GERD claim will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's GERD disability is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective August 16, 2016.