GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on three conditions (gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing all issues in this appeal.

The Veteran's headaches, GERD, left shoulder pain disorder, right shoulder pain disorder, and back pain disorder are all found to be service-connected.,All relevant medical records support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for coronary artery disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with esophageal stricture.,Both conditions were found to have onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for testicular cancer, lung cancer, lymphatic cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), low testosterone, loss of use of a creative organ (heart disorder), acid reflux, and lung damage. SMC based on the loss of use of a creative organ is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, dermatitis, cellulitis, IBS, diverticulitis, hiatal hernia (GERD), and respiratory disability due to potential service connection based on in-service exposures. The VA must obtain updated medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastrointestinal disability and service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to his service-connected GI disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and regulatory duties. The Veteran's OSA is being evaluated for its relationship to service, including his service-connected conditions and TERA exposure.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent rating, which meets the criteria for this disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) since November 21, 2018, due to multiple service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a 30% rating, effective May 13, 2019. The TBI and posttraumatic migraine headaches are both granted increased ratings of 30%, but the right lower leg muscle injury and sleep apnea claims are remanded.

The Veteran's recurrent right shoulder degenerative changes to include chronic pain are granted as secondary to the service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis. The effective date for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain is set at April 23, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for constipation is granted, with a 10 percent rating effective September 25, 2023.,Service connection for epididymitis is granted based on the claim being considered in this appeal. The effective date of service connection for epididymitis is set at September 25, 2023.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disability, GERD, DM, CAD, and ED have been granted with effective dates ranging from July 29, 2022 to September 8, 2021. The claim for service connection for OSA was denied.

The Veteran's disability ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were restored to their previous levels of 60 percent and 70 percent, respectively, effective September 1, 2020.

The Veteran's GERD is now rated at 30 percent, effective from July 21, 2014. His allergic rhinitis has been granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to the PACT Act.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted effective August 10, 2022, under the provisions of the PACT Act.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, anemia, GERD (hiatal hernia status post repair with fundoplication), and scars, status post fundoplication have been granted service connection. The effective dates for these conditions are March 11, 2004, September 6, 2016, September 6, 2016, and September 6, 2016 respectively. A rating of 50% has been assigned for migraine headaches as of March 11, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest muscle spasm, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), thyroid disability, and a disability manifest by fatigue are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Specifically, the Board finds that an examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities or any other potential toxic exposures.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review options, as the Higher-Level Review requests were still pending and not withdrawn at the time the VA Form 10182 was submitted.

The Veteran's initial rating for GERD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 20% rating was granted for multiple lipomatosis, with some pain and no impact on work capacity.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service and resolving all doubts in his favor.