GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to additional medical evidence being added, and it is unclear if any of these conditions are related to service or not. The Veteran's left shoulder condition and PTSD have been rated based on their current severity without a higher rating possible at this time.

The Veteran's appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals regarding his claim for service connection for GERD was denied. The Veteran requested a motion to vacate this decision due to alleged violations of his due process rights, and the motion was granted.

The Veteran's skin disability is granted as service connected. The issues of secondary service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, loss of memory/concentration problems, and sleep disturbances to include as secondary to PTSD; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); urinary tract condition; and right hand numbness are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (IBS/GERD), hypertension, fatigue, and various knee and elbow disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during service or their current existence.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for infertility is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for her service-connected pelvic adhesions, but further development is needed to determine if she is eligible for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded for further development and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, including those related to toxin exposure at Giessen Army Depot in Germany.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address the Veteran's digestive disorder, including Barrett’s Esophagus and GERD, as well as his PTSD and depressive disorder with panic disorder with agoraphobia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's GERD. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions addressing whether his current GERD was caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined rating of 70 percent is denied as the December 2010 rating decision is final and the Veteran did not perfect his appeal with respect to the initial disability ratings assigned in that decision.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private facility on August 22, 2014 is denied because the required supporting documentation has not been received within one year of filing the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD as secondary to her service-connected left hip and thigh disability and the medication therefor, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 1, 2012 for the grant of service connection for various disabilities was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible date allowable for the grant of service connection is the day following separation from active duty service.

A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective November 18, 2008. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, acid reflux, erectile dysfunction, and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records, verify any trip ashore to Vietnam, and provide medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's total combined rating is 40 percent from March 28, 2011 to April 3, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, but not higher. The Board found the evidence did not show considerable impairment of health.,PTSD was granted a 30% rating effective March 23, 2007. The Veteran argues for an earlier effective date, which the Board denied as it is factually ascertainable that PTSD had not worsened to warrant a higher rating prior to August 2, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 27, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and examination reports. The issues include psychiatric disorders, prostate disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, skin disorder, bilateral eye disorders, low back disability, upper back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for this grant is set at December 16, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease remains pending as there is no clear rule that would allow a retroactive effective date prior to the date of his formal claim under FDC rules.