GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and right-ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The Veteran's IBS claim has been granted, as well as his tinnitus claim. His GERD claim is pending and will be remanded.,The Veteran's IBS was found to be service-connected due to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. His tinnitus was also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50% since April 17, 2018, based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to work in any substantially gainful capacity.

The Veteran's claims have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate his service connection claims due to potential exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new legislation and incomplete service records, including potential active duty service in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD and sleep deprivation secondary to GERD due to potential toxic exposure in service, specifically Gulf War deployments. The VA is required to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature of the Veteran's GERD and its relationship to service, including TERA participation. A sleep study may also be necessary.

Right leg shin splints, left leg shin splints, and GERD are granted service connection.,Psychiatric disability is granted with an effective date of November 30, 2017. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's GERD disability, which includes symptoms such as epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, regurgitation, chest pain, feelings of choking, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing at night, coughing, hemorrhoids, and constipation, has been productive of considerable impairment of health since November 27, 2017. The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding the onset and cause of GERD, specifically addressing exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between in-service gastritis and current GERD. The Veteran's attorney requested an addendum opinion addressing whether the symptoms associated with diagnosed gastritis were indicative of or related to the currently diagnosed GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for Barrett's esophagus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hiatal hernia with GERD.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis and GERD, finding no evidence of in-service onset or direct causation.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted. The increased rating claim for her service-connected status post colostomy and laparotomy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from being able to perform daily activities and if he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD and/or medications have aggravated his GERD. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's stomach disorder, including GERD, is related to service. The claim will be further developed and an addendum opinion from a VA clinician will be needed.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, functional bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (secondary to service-connected disability), and acid reflux have been partially granted. The claim for hypertension was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Claims for higher ratings for functional bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids were denied as they do not meet the schedular criteria. Service connection for tinnitus and acid reflux has been established, but erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected disability remains unresolved.

The Veteran's vertigo is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected Crohn's disease or toxic exposure risk activities.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected Crohn's disease or toxic exposure risk activities.,The Veteran's insomnia is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition and whether it is related to his service-connected Crohn's disease with fatigue and GERD.,The Veteran's migraines are being remanded for a retrospective medical opinion considering the severity of his migraines without medication since he filed his claim in July 2014.,The Veteran's Crohn's disease with secondary fatigue and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being remanded for new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's pruritic papular eruptions are being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions.,Specifically, the Board requested an addendum opinion on whether any GI disorder, including GERD, is related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for GERD, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Left Shoulder Disability, and Low Back Disability. The claims for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's GERD and OSA are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. His arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knees, ankles, and hips is also being remanded due to lack of a VA examination.