{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd-secondary-to-ptsd","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:31.801Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"claim":"Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to PTSD","secondary_condition":"Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)","service_connected_disability":"PTSD","decisions":1237,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":25.3,"denied_pct":13.3,"remanded_pct":60,"granted_on_merits_pct":65.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":65,"granted_pct":6.2,"denied_pct":38.5,"remanded_pct":50.8},{"year":2018,"issues":84,"granted_pct":14.3,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":64.3},{"year":2019,"issues":102,"granted_pct":10.8,"denied_pct":18.6,"remanded_pct":69.6},{"year":2020,"issues":123,"granted_pct":17.1,"denied_pct":18.7,"remanded_pct":63.4},{"year":2021,"issues":121,"granted_pct":16.5,"denied_pct":23.1,"remanded_pct":60.3},{"year":2022,"issues":124,"granted_pct":19.4,"denied_pct":8.1,"remanded_pct":66.9},{"year":2023,"issues":113,"granted_pct":26.5,"denied_pct":6.2,"remanded_pct":66.4},{"year":2024,"issues":179,"granted_pct":29.6,"denied_pct":8.4,"remanded_pct":62},{"year":2025,"issues":245,"granted_pct":39.2,"denied_pct":6.1,"remanded_pct":52.7},{"year":2026,"issues":85,"granted_pct":49.4,"denied_pct":5.9,"remanded_pct":44.7}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":81.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":145,"granted_pct_with":78.9,"granted_pct_without":62.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1043,"granted_pct_with":64.4,"granted_pct_without":78.4},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":339,"granted_pct_with":91.5,"granted_pct_without":34.4},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":883,"granted_pct_with":65.1,"granted_pct_without":67},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":436,"granted_pct_with":84,"granted_pct_without":41.6},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":67,"granted_pct_with":77.5,"granted_pct_without":64.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":921,"granted_pct_with":61.6,"granted_pct_without":79.6},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":125,"granted_pct_with":58.5,"granted_pct_without":66.6}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":40},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":28},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":16},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":12},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":5},{"reason":"private opinion found gerd secondary to ptsd","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":32},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":30},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":23},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":15},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":11},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":6}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26034826","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL J. SKALTSOUNIS","rationale":"Private opinion found probative for GERD etiology; Link between PTSD and GERD explained via sympathetic nervous system; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26033219","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"Secondary to service-connected PTSD; Private medical opinion found probative; At least as likely as not caused by PTSD"},{"case_id":"A26030400","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"Conflicting medical opinions from private psychologist and VA examiner.; Board found evidence evenly balanced.; Applied benefit-of-the-doubt rule.; AOJ committed pre-decisional error in development of secondary claims."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26036828","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN B. KRAMER","rationale":"No in-service complaints or treatment for GERD.; Post-service VA records show denial of GERD symptoms until April 2024.; Veteran's assertion of nexus to PTSD is not medically competent.; No competent medical evidence links GERD to PTSD.; Evidence persuasively weighs against secondary service connect… [truncated, 4 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26017941","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"No in-service diagnosis or complaints of GERD; Less likely than not nexus to service; GERD not a MUCMI for presumptive service connection"},{"case_id":"A26016382","year":2026,"judge":"J. KIRBY","rationale":"Veteran denied frequent indigestion/heartburn in post-deployment assessments.; VA examiners opined GERD unrelated to PTSD and not aggravated by it.; Obesity identified as a risk factor for GERD."}]},"how_argued":{"note":"From keyword matches in each issue's AI summary and rationale, not the full decision. Only issues whose text names a medical link are counted under pathways; one issue can name several. A link named in a denial was often the argument the Board rejected.","issues":1241,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":581,"granted_pct":18.8},"causation_only":{"issues":660,"granted_pct":30.9},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":20.4,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Weight gain or obesity","issues":113,"granted_pct":23.9,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26003861","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"VA opinions inadequate regarding the role of obesity and PTSD."},{"case_id":"A26016382","year":2026,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Obesity identified as a risk factor for GERD.."}]},{"pathway":"Stress","issues":95,"granted_pct":56.8,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26001758","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"The Board found a plausible link between GERD symptoms, which began during stressful deployments in 2003/2004, and the Veteran's service, despite conflicting VA opinions."},{"case_id":"A25064689","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The VA examiner opined GERD was less likely than not related to PTSD, despite noting a potential link between stress and GERD symptoms, due to the GERD's onset predating PTSD service connection and remaining stable."}]},{"pathway":"Medication side effects","issues":54,"granted_pct":29.6,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26025302","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"A VA examiner found the GERD etiologically linked to these conditions, citing NSAID use for pain, stress from PTSD, and associations with sleep apnea and hypertension."},{"case_id":"A24086296","year":2024,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"A VA examination confirmed GERD but opined it was less likely than not related to service, attributing it to NSAID use for back pain."}]},{"pathway":"Sleep disruption","issues":10,"granted_pct":60,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26020699","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"The Veteran contends that his GERD is exacerbated by anxiety and sleep disturbances related to his service-connected PTSD."}]}]},"how_va_rates":null,"requirements":"38 CFR 3.310: a current diagnosis, a service-connected disability, and medical evidence that it caused (3.310(a)) or aggravated (3.310(b)) the condition."}}