GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to service-connected asthma due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are directly related to service or aggravated by service-connected asthma.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep hypopnea, specifically whether it is related to service or secondary to medications for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for episodes of chills and lowered body temperatures, as well as his claim for GERD, due to insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination and obtain medical nexus opinions addressing the relationship between his conditions and service-connected residuals of larynx cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and CUE in several rating decisions, finding that no legal merit existed to grant these requests.

The Board denied service connection for GERD as there is no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for reactive arthritis of the right wrist and hand, left ankle, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The claim for acid reflux, secondary to PTSD is denied.,The claim for an increased rating for residuals of right distal tibial stress fracture is denied.,The claim for diabetes mellitus type 2 as secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a duodenal ulcer and GERD as secondary to the duodenal ulcer because there was no evidence of pre-existing conditions, and the Veteran does not have a current disability. The Board also found that secondary service connection is not warranted due to lack of a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been properly evaluated, and additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's GERD/hiatal hernia is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met. For his left knee and upper back disabilities, remand is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's esophageal ring, pre-cancerous Barrett’s esophagus is granted an initial 50 percent disability rating.,The Veteran's GERD and hiatal hernia are granted an initial 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD, CAD, and right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for GERD due to insufficient consideration of lay statements and lack of discussion in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, gastritis/GERD, and PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, cervical spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's request to increase his rating for migraines from 30% to greater than 30% is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, scars on the left hand, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, heart condition, and GERD have been denied. The VA has ordered additional examinations to address these issues.,The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral knee arthritis, GERD, and chest pain.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but the Board finds that he has not been unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as evidenced by his continued employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation.

The Veteran's GERD is rated as noncompensable, and his initial rating for depressive disorder with anxious distress prior to May 16, 2017, remains at 30 percent. A higher rating is denied after that date.