GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his military service or any presumptive exposure. The VA examinations and medical records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from March 7, 2012 to March 4, 2013. The Veteran's lumbar strain with a history of herniated disc did not result in significant disability. The Veteran's cervical strain did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was productive of mild incomplete paralysis throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's GERD has resulted in persistent symptoms but without severe impairment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and GERD are all service-connected. The pes planus is presumed to have been incurred in service based on the evidence of record. Cerumen impaction was also found to be incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the appellant's claimed stressor and to obtain additional medical opinions. The appeal will be considered again after these actions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's headaches and GERD are service-connected. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the claims, including entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a service connection for hypertension, hyperkeratosis of the feet, GERD or sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service. The Board finds that the preexisting condition did not worsen in service.,Service connection for a chronic GI disorder, including GERD, diverticulosis, and an esophageal stricture, is denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service and none are linked to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for gastritis and GERD is granted, as the evidence shows that he was treated for these conditions during his military service and continues to be treated post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and a statement of the case on his claim for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a non-initial rating of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis prior to July 15, 2015. He also received a non-initial rating of 30 percent for his status post left total knee replacement with osteoarthritis from September 1, 2016 and thereafter. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and acid reflux/GERD are related to her military service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's joint and muscle pain, headaches, and GERD with dysphagia are related to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the requirements for a pension during the period on appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's GERD and service, including exposure to environmental hazards. Service treatment records are silent for complaints or diagnoses related to GERD.,Service treatment records do not show asthma during service. The Veteran was diagnosed with mild asthma in November 1998 after separation from service. There is no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current asthma and service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for gastrointestinal conditions other than GERD and gastric and duodenal ulcers, meningitis, and an acquired psychiatric condition. However, it did not address the merits of these claims as they are still considered to be in a final status.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original ratings for asthma and GERD, as well as his TDIU award. The reductions in rating were found to be improper due to a lack of consideration of relevant regulations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia and GERD, as well as nerve damage of the left forearm. The evidence received since the final July 2009 denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted. The conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for TBI claimed as brain trauma with stroke, migraine headaches, cervical spine disorder, upper arm neuropathy and radiculopathy, low back disorder, and GERD. The Veteran's disabilities were not shown in service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's service.,The Board found that there was no evidence of a TBI during service and provided a negative nexus opinion.