GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and lack of relevant medical records. The issues include psychiatric disorders, throat disorders, chronic bronchitis, chest disorders, Barrett’s esophagus, ulcerative colitis, and GERD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claims. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this case.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin disability was denied. The petition to reopen the claims for hypertension and alopecia areata were granted.,PTSD disability rating prior to July 9, 2013, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD, which includes symptoms such as epigastric distress, dysphagia, pyrosis, reflux, regurgitation, pain, nausea, and other combined symptoms productive of severe impairment of health, has been rated at 60 percent since June 27, 2016. Prior to that date, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board grants a rating of 20 percent for ankylosing spondylitis with intervertebral disc syndrome. The claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, kidney stones, left hip disability, tinnitus, and neck disability are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial ratings on several conditions has been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding diplopia and right side second rib fracture, while granting service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, specifically acid reflux/GERD, is found to have onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective October 1, 2008.

The Veteran's glaucoma is granted service connection and an initial rating of 30% for duodenal ulcer with GERD. The issues regarding left knee and back disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's left wrist disorder, hypertension, IBS, ED, and GERD are not service-connected.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran’s current left wrist disorder is not caused by or related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s tinnitus had its onset during active service and will resolve the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's GERD and tinea pedis were present at separation from service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating, and service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD is also granted. Service connection for migraine headache disability as secondary to PTSD is remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of a compensable rating and earlier effective date for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Specifically, a new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is considered service-connected as it manifested during his active duty and continues to the present day.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of current diagnosis. The case was remanded for further action on the GERD secondary to PTSD or medications taken for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, left shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing loss (right ear), GERD, skin condition, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a nervous condition. The Board also dismissed the claim for lumbago and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's GERD with a hiatal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the criteria for a higher disability rating have not been met, and denied the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent.