The Board granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, chronic sinus condition, bilateral hand condition, jaw condition, aortic regurgitation, discoid lupus, residuals of peptic ulcer, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity (LUE) radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine disability.

The deciding factor: The Board granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus based on a private medical opinion that found a causal relationship between the Veteran's mental health conditions and his GERD. The evidence of record did not support the claims for other disabilities, including those related to the lumbar spine, right ear hearing loss, and various musculoskeletal issues.

Claimed conditions

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, chronic sinus condition, bilateral hand condition, jaw condition, aortic regurgitation, discoid lupus, residuals of peptic ulcer, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity (LUE) radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine disability, right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine disability

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

100%

Decision date

December 10, 2025

Citation

A25106364

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