GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his chronic gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding private medical records.

The Veteran's stomach disability, including gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is found to be incurred in active duty service. The Board finds that the Veteran has overlapping gastric symptoms between GERD and gastritis, but resolves reasonable doubt in his favor and grants service connection for a stomach disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are now being considered on their merits.,Service connection has been granted for left knee disability, right knee disability, chronic vaginitis, chronic UTI, GERD, IBS, hemorrhoids, thyroid condition, and sciatica.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of GERD or hiatal hernia, and finds that his symptoms are more likely related to NSAID medications for his service-connected left fifth finger DJD rather than being incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as chronic mechanical low back syndrome. The Veteran's current condition is found to be related to her in-service fall and injury.,Service connection was denied for the claimed TMJ disability due to lack of evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7346, applicable to hiatal hernia. The Board finds that no diagnostic code other than 7346 better contemplates the symptomatology associated with the Veteran's GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cervical spondylosis disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. After affording the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings due to lack of evidence supporting earlier effective dates or entitlement to the benefits sought.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for VA examinations and additional development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted as his symptoms of memory loss, headaches, fatigue, involuntary movements, urinary issues, and gastrointestinal problems are considered manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness related to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for GERD is granted as the condition was incurred in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of vision and sleep disorder. The issues related to TBI or residuals thereof, bilateral inguinal hernias, headaches, sinus disorder with shortness of breath (sinus disorder), eating disorder, balance disorder, CFS, seizure disorder, PUD, esophageal disorder other than GERD, diabetes, bladder disorder, and muscle disorder have also been denied. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to July 1, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthralgia of the lumbosacral spine, depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/gastritis, combine to be 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that these conditions prevent the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, bilateral ear disability (Eustachian tube dysfunction), depressive disorder, bilateral ingrown toenail, Morton's metatarsalgia, interdigital neuroma within second and third toes of the left foot, migraine headaches, jaw residuals involving the 5th cranial nerve on both sides, GERD, chronic lumbar sprain, residuals of a left ring finger fracture, and left thigh scar.,The Veteran's current symptoms are consistent with his in-service complaints and diagnoses.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities for pension purposes prior to October 25, 2017 included PTSD with major depression, knee arthralgia, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, hypertension, inguinal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran was not found to meet the schedular criteria for a permanent and total disability rating prior to October 25, 2017. As such, he is not entitled to nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate and whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence for his service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder, coronary artery disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of his military service and obtaining medical records. He also needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability.