GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, bilateral shoulder muscle spasms, chest muscle spasms, sinus disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder (claimed as asbestosis) is partially granted. The claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disorders are all remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lung disorder, hypertension, liver disorder, GERD, and diabetes mellitus type II. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's GERD disability is rated at a 10 percent since September 14, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of GERD, hypothyroidism, erectile dysfunction, and low back disability. The Board also denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating for diabetes mellitus or an aggravation claim for GERD.

Service connection for 10th and 11th rib fractures is granted.,An effective date prior to February 6, 2013, for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied.

An effective date of August 6, 2010 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.,A 30 percent rating for GERD beginning May 30, 2017 is granted. The Veteran's earlier claim to reopen service connection for GERD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, sleep apnea and hypersomnia, erectile dysfunction, and a skin disability (basal cell carcinoma) have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for OSA and GERD due to Gulf War illness as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active duty or any other basis.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for left hip disability is denied.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for GERD is denied.,The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board found that there was evidence showing the Veteran has sleep apnea and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating such claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, tinnitus, hypertension, hemorrhoids, and GERD. The decision also remanded the claim for service connection for bronchitis due to asbestos exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip, right knee, acid reflux, and low back conditions. The decision also noted that the Veteran's skin condition (claimed as dyshidrotic eczema) was remanded for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were partially denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s psychiatric disabilities are at worst manifest by symptoms most comparable to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, resulting in a 70% rating. The issues of residuals of frostbite and GERD service connection, as well as the rating for hypertrophic gastritis post-operative removal of sigmoid colon polyps and colon polyps, were remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for new opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee condition and GERD/acid reflux.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained multisymptom illness is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted effective February 6, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to make a fully-informed decision on the service connection claims for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, fibromyalgia, and others. The Veteran's medical history will be reviewed, and further examinations may be conducted.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for left and right knee disabilities, service connection for GERD, and service connection for right and left hand disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's GERD is being examined again to determine if it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.