GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. He is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and asthma due to insufficient medical opinions based on the absence of documentation showing an in-service diagnosis or treatment. The Veteran asserts that her environment within the service attributed to her conditions, such as generators, fuel, and smoke.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for GERD prior to November 9, 2022, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including memory loss, are granted as they are related to and began during a period of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).,Service connection is also granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as it had its onset in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD and gastritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct or presumptive service connection. However, his PTSD claim is granted based on personal assaults / a pattern of harassment during active duty.,PTSD service connection is granted due to in-service personal assaults / a pattern of harassment. Major depressive disorder with associated anxiety, insomnia, and memory loss are also granted as they can be linked to the Veteran's period of active service.,The Veteran's bowel disturbance with abdominal distress (an intestinal condition) qualifies as a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. � 3.317 due to his Persian Gulf service. His type II diabetes mellitus is also granted as a qualifying chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness.,Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain) and hypertension are both granted secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) with angina (chest pain).,PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and polysubstance abuse disorders are all granted as secondary to his now service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating based on orthopedic manifestations. His tension headaches have been granted the maximum 50 percent rating from August 26, 2013.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is caused by his service-connected low back disability, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for higher ratings of right hip osteoarthritis, hypertension, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in February 2023.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and esophageal dysmotility has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not sufficient to meet his claim for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and GERD due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The issues of service connection are being reviewed again, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability, to include pain, and GERD are both granted as service-connected. The back disability is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.,Service connection for GERD is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for aphthous ulcer and an initial compensable rating for GERD, as well as a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD from August 20, 2020 onwards. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and outstanding records.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected GERD, despite a temporary total convalescence rating following Nissen fundoplication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim is granted, but the increased rating for muscle disability of the neck and left shoulder is remanded due to lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not rated higher than noncompensable.,Prior to September 17, 2020, the Veteran's GERD was rated at noncompensable. After that date, it has been rated as 10 percent disabling.,For bilateral pinguecula with bilateral blepharitis, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service GERD symptomatology and no competent medical opinion linking the condition to service.,The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential intercurrent causes not related to service. The Veteran's noise exposure during service may be considered, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if current hearing loss or tinnitus is related to service.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent disability level since August 18, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection is granted for the Veteran's right knee strain, which developed in service. However, service connection is not granted for GERD as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD and remanded the issue of service connection for PFB. The Veteran's GERD is not considered a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, but may still be entitled to direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in prior decisions, including not considering whether the Veteran's GERD is secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea and Ambien.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, MDD, PTSD, GERD, migraine headaches, sarcoidosis, and skin lesions/lesions on back are remanded.,An effective date prior to March 10, 2016 for the grants of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.