Veterans may be able to prove that their GERD was directly caused by their service. If your GERD predated your service, you may also be able to establish a service connection on the basis of aggravation if your condition became worse because of your service.
GERD may also be a secondary disability if another service-connected condition caused it. Likewise, if you have a service-connected condition that causes you to develop GERD, you may be owed VA disability compensation for both conditions.
Examples include:
Mental health disorders. Research suggests GERD can cause higher rates of mental health disorders like anxiety and PTSD. If you have both a mental health condition and GERD, it’s possible you could be owed VA disability for both.
Medications. Many medications can cause GERD. Prescription and over-the-counter pain medication, can lead to GERD or intensify already existing symptoms of GERD GERD. Muscle relaxants can also cause GERD. Similarly, high blood pressure medication can also relax the muscles around the esophageal sphincter, causing GERD. You could be owed additional compensation if you have a service-connected condition like chronic pain or high blood pressure and your medication causes GERD.
Sleep disorders. GERD may cause sleep apnea. GERD is more likely to occur during sleep because the muscles are relaxed, your esophagus is horizontal with respect to your stomach, and you swallow less frequently. This allows gravity to pull acid from your stomach past the valve.
Disabilities involving coughing. Researchers believe there may be an association between chronic coughing and GERD, though the extent of this relationship is not fully clear.
If you are taking medication for a service-related condition that you think may have caused or worsened your GERD, you should ask your doctor about whether there could be evidence the two are connected. Similarly, if you believe your GERD may be connected to another condition, you can discuss this with your doctor. If your GERD is secondary to a service-connected condition or if your service-connected GERD is causing other health problems, you could be owed additional monthly VA compensation.
If you are unable to work due to your service-connected disabilities, you may qualify for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). If you think you may be eligible for TDIU or believe your current rating is too low, give us a call and receive a free legal consultation.
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