WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsIf the VA already service-connected your gerd (also called GERD, acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn), it can cause or worsen other conditions that are ratable on their own. These "secondary" claims are where many veterans leave money on the table. Below is what a service-connected gerd commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (gerd) is already service-connected, and you have a nexus — a doctor's opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" the cause. More on nexus letters →
Nighttime reflux disrupts sleep; documented sleep disturbance from GERD can support a secondary claim, often tied into a mental health rating.
What you'd need: Documented nighttime reflux and sleep complaints and a nexus opinion linking the sleep impairment to the GERD.
Chronic acid exposure can erode tooth enamel and inflame the esophagus (esophagitis, Barrett's), which the VA recognizes as related to GERD.
What you'd need: A dental or GI diagnosis (endoscopy for esophageal changes) and a note linking it to the service-connected GERD.