Nexus letter
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Most often claimed as secondary to medications taken for a service-connected condition.
$895 for this condition · $149 to start
What this claim turns on
GERD is one of the clearest medication-induced secondary claims in VA practice. Veterans managing a painful service-connected musculoskeletal condition are frequently on long-term NSAIDs, and the gastric effects of that are well documented in the medical literature. The opinion needs to establish the medication history, the temporal relationship, and the absence of a better explanation — which means your pharmacy records matter as much as your gastroenterology notes.
Commonly claimed as secondary to
If one of these is already service connected, this condition may be claimable as secondary to it. Your intake asks which pathway applies.
Conditions often secondary to this one
If gerd is already service connected for you, these conditions are frequently claimed as flowing from it. Each needs its own opinion.
Records to have ready
Your physician needs these to form an opinion. Gathering them before you start is the single biggest thing you can do to move your case quickly.
- DD-214 or other separation document
- Service treatment records covering your time in service
- Current VA or private treatment records showing a diagnosis
- Any VA rating decision or denial letter you have received
- Gastroenterology records, including any endoscopy report
- Pharmacy records showing medication history
- Rating decision for the primary condition
Missing something? Start anyway and tell us in the intake. Sometimes a gap changes the approach rather than stopping the claim. How to request your records.