GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. His stomach disorder, low back disability, and right leg disability are denied. The VA has remanded the issues of residuals of a concussive injury (headaches) and breathing problems for further evaluation.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was caused by his military service or permanently worsened by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected headaches. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to headaches is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

This decision is remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, including from a medical facility in Sedalia, Missouri. The Veteran should also be provided an opportunity to submit lay statements regarding her service-connected conditions and their impact on her ability to work.,The Veteran's kidney stones claim will require a new VA examination to determine if she had any such condition during service or is otherwise related to service. Her sinusitis and right hip disability claims will need a new VA examination, including the May 2012 private treatment record, to assess whether they began in service or are related to service.,The Veteran's GERD claim requires a new VA examination to determine its current severity. The cervical spine disability claim needs a new VA examination to evaluate her radiculopathy of the upper extremities and to assess any associated objective neurologic abnormalities under an appropriate diagnostic code. Her right elbow disabilities will need a new VA examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and a dental disability, claimed as secondary to GERD, are being remanded due to the need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of his GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the cause of his alcoholism, but not for his coronary artery disease (CAD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or hernia condition.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied bilateral hand disability was not granted as new and material evidence has not been received.,Moderate left carpal tunnel syndrome and mild ulnar neuropathy at the wrist and elbow were not service-connected, as they did not have their onset during active service or within one year of discharge.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for constipation and acid reflux (GERD) due to secondary effects from service-connected conditions.,Further medical examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent fatigue and GERD were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to September 19, 2012, a 100 percent rating from June 1, 2016 onward, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD and sinusitis have been granted a 10 percent rating each, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's hypertension and GERD have been granted service connection.,For sinusitis, the Veteran is now rated at 30% for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate VA examination.,The Veteran's sinusitis is remanded as there are no records of treatment during service, but the Board finds a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and migraines have been granted higher ratings, but the stomach pain claim is remanded for further development.,PTSD service connection and secondary psychiatric disorder to service-connected conditions are also on remand.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has been rated at 70 percent since March 26, 2015. Effective May 10, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.,Effective March 26, 2015, but no earlier, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, gastritis, and duodenitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,An earlier effective date of September 30, 2010, for the award of celiac idiopathic steatorrhea with GERD is denied.,An earlier effective date of July 11, 2012, for the award of left ankle disability is granted.,The grant of service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder was severed as there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's GERD is not service-connected.,Prior to October 25, 2016, the Veteran's lumbar disability was rated at 20 percent and denied an increased rating.,Effective from August 26, 2009, for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hip disability, right ear hearing loss, or right knee disability. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.