GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an addendum medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected somatic symptom disorder caused or aggravated his GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TB residuals was denied. The Board found no evidence of active TB or TB related symptomatology during the pendency of the appeal. For TDIU, the Veteran met the criteria under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(a) as he had two or more disabilities with at least one rated at 40 percent or more and sufficient additional disability to bring the combined rating to at least 70 percent. The Veteran is already in receipt of SMC benefits, thus TDIU was not granted.

The Veteran's GERD and back disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's headaches and joint pain, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, remain in appellate status.

The Board has found that additional development is needed and the case must be remanded for further consideration.

The appeal seeking to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the merits of the claims.

The Board has ordered the RO to adjudicate whether there was CUE in assigning a 10 percent evaluation for GERD with hyperextension of LES, either by a failure to assign a separate rating or a higher rating under a more applicable code covering LES symptoms. The RO must also consider the Veteran's earlier effective date claim based on CUE.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and left knee conditions, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's scarring is granted service connection. The digestive disorder, including GERD, due to Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied in July 2004, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim. The effective date of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy is set at July 21, 2011.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis, GERD, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and right knee disability are denied. The effective date of service connection for presbyopia with hypermetropia, astigmatism, and pinguecula is set at July 21, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disease did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 5, 2021.

The Veteran's GERD was granted a rating of 30 percent, but no higher, since February 20, 2015. The issue of service connection for bilateral hand and finger joint pain is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The left knee, bilateral thumb condition, low back condition, and left foot condition are all remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for GERD is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases of residuals of a sternum injury and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for further development. The Veteran's periods of qualifying service need to be verified, and an addendum VA medical opinion is required for GERD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new theories of entitlement and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's obesity, caused by his service-connected right knee and hip disabilities, may be a factor in causing his acid reflux, hypertension, and heart disabilities. His acquired psychiatric disability is also considered as a potential cause or aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person as he is unable to perform daily activities independently due to his physical impairments.

The Veteran's lung cancer residuals are being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding his reported symptoms of dizziness, equilibrium problems, and altered gait.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained on remand are inadequate and did not comply with the October 2022 Board remand directives. The claims for service connection must be remanded again due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims regarding gastroesophageal reflux disease, right arm ulnar sensory neuropathy, and right ankle sprain with instability and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding toxic exposure in Iraq.