GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The appeal for service connection for flat feet and leg pain as secondary to flat feet was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of administrative review options. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD with hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with esophagitis, as the evidence did not show that her disability met or more nearly approximated the criteria required for a 10 percent rating.

The appeal was remanded for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1).

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including inadequate VA examinations and failure to obtain etiological opinions.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and right hand strain, increased the ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, dyshidrotic eczema, and hypertension, and denied service connection for Parkinsonism, pes planus/flat feet, GERD, tinea versicolor, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus. The Board also granted a TDIU.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and Barret's esophagus, both directly and as secondary to a service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, and CFS. The Veteran's hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy, shoulder disability, knee meniscal tear, knee limitation of extension, knee scars, GERD, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and PTSD were also not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disease to correct an error by the AOJ to satisfy its duty to assist (DTA) the claimant under 38 U.S.C. § 5103A.

The Board granted an effective date of January 21, 2022, for the award of service connection for PTSD and a rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) effective December 20, 2022.

The case is remanded for further development, including an in-person examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected chronic gastritis and GERD.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right foot disability, as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The appeals for service connection of prostate cancer, diabetes, GERD, and hypertension were dismissed due to the RO's subsequent grant of these conditions.

The Board restored the 10 percent rating for GERD, denied increased ratings for other conditions, and remanded service connection claims.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's request for higher-level review of effective dates being improperly denied by VA.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, remanded claims for increased ratings for knee and spine disabilities, and remanded claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, and GERD.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and GERD on a secondary basis, but denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hip pain, DEA benefits, and other issues.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from September 22, 2020, but no higher. The appeal for TDIU and service connection claims were denied or dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erectile dysfunction as additional medical evidence is needed to address whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and GERD as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability in either case.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of his service. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, GERD, and lumbosacral strain on a direct basis. A 30 percent initial rating was also granted for migraines including migraine variants.