GERD (acid reflux) Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability with alcohol abuse has aggravated his GERD, and thus grants service connection for GERD on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder disability, back disability, and GERD. The claim of service connection for migraine headaches will be deferred as it is intertwined with the claims for back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including additional VA examinations and the provision of a complete medical history to ensure accurate evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vision/eye disorder, skin disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causation to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and lumbar spine disorder are service-connected, but his gastrointestinal disorder is not. The Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma in service and currently experiences symptoms of tinnitus. His lumbar spine disorder may be related to a past injury during active duty service. However, there is no evidence linking his current gastrointestinal disorder to service or any other condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for positive PPD reaction and atrial fibrillation have not been determined. The remaining issues, including urinating difficulties, are denied.

The Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2014.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD has been rated at 30% since the entire period on appeal, considering his symptoms of recurrent epigastric distress including dysphasia, pyrosis, regurgitation, and abdominal pain.

The Veteran's right knee injury, patella fracture, post-operative is not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a stomach condition related to military service. The Veteran's current gastritis and GERD are less likely caused by his prescribed medications for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD has been manifested by symptoms productive of considerable impairment of health, warranting a 30 percent evaluation throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on all issues, including the claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been granted, with a final effective date of February 6, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current digestive tract disability, including hiatal hernia with GERD and stomach issues, is not causally related to her military service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his claim for service connection for a muscle cramp disability over the flank region. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the March 2015 remand directives. As such, an additional remand is required before the Board may make a determination on the merits of the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 15, 2016. Since that date, his combined scheduler disability rating was 100%, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bruxism and internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are service-connected as secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for bilateral hip conditions, restless leg syndrome, or a gastrointestinal disorder. Service connection is granted for PF with an initial rating of 30 percent effective May 13, 2009.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an upper gastrointestinal disability, but further development is needed due to the Veteran's death and the need for medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any such disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, but denied his claims for service connection for monoclonal gammopathy, Raynaud's disease, and atrial fibrillation.