The Board granted service connection for GERD, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and denied increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel bone spurs, lumbar strain with IVDS, left knee limitation of flexion, and remanded claims for vertigo.
The deciding factor: The Board granted service connection for GERD as secondary to the Veteran's OSA due to the positive medical nexus opinion from Dr. M.D., a certified otolaryngologist, who provided evidence that the Veteran's GERD is related to his service-connected OSA. The other claims were denied based on the lack of sufficient evidence to support higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic sinusitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral heel bone spurs, lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), left knee limitation of flexion, vertigo
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25089967
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