GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, GERD, gastritis, chronic sinus congestion and allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of GERD. The Veteran's lay statements were found to lack probative value.,Service connection was also denied for the in-service bilateral tubal ligation and post-service total hysterectomy with history of endometriosis, as there was no evidence that the disability began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

This decision remands three issues: entitlement to an increased rating for hypotonic rectal sphincter with anal seepage, PTSD, and chronic occipital headaches. The Veteran's service connection is established but the ratings are not appropriate.,PTSD was rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Hypotonic rectal sphincter with anal seepage has been rated at 30 percent since January 27, 2009. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for extensive leakage and fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements.,Chronic occipital headaches have not yet received a rating.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,A compensable rating (greater than 10%) for GERD prior to September 16, 2014, is denied. However, a 10% rating for GERD as of September 16, 2014, is granted.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,A compensable rating (greater than 10%) for GERD prior to September 16, 2014, is denied. A 10% rating for GERD as of September 16, 2014, is granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for GERD, headaches, and lumbosacral spine disability were denied. The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for prostate cancer was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of her IBS, GERD, chronic headache disability, fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, and TDIU. The VA will obtain all relevant medical records and provide a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between these conditions and her service-connected hepatitis C or polyarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete STRs and the need for an addendum from a VA medical examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension. The issues include confirmation of completeness of the Veteran's service treatment records and obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran’s hypertension was aggravated by his service-connected MDD, other service-connected disabilities, or their medications.

The Veteran's OSA disability is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his anxiety disorder and physical disabilities such as knee pain and shoulder impingement syndrome, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected migraines and/or cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's duodenal ulcer with GERD is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's GERD and its relation to service. The claim will be returned for further investigation, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and requested additional records from the Veteran's former employer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a stomach disorder, including as due to herbicide exposure, finding that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service or herbicide exposure. The new evidence submitted did not provide any new information regarding these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding no new and material evidence to support his contention that his current condition is related to military service.

The Board has denied reopening the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected hearing loss and PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disability, denied the right upper extremity disability claim, and denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear otitis media, sinus arrhythmia/tachycardia, and hypertension (HTN) as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The right shoulder disability is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for dermatitis was also granted.