IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for umbilical hernia repair and right indirect inguinal hernia repair are not well grounded. The claim for IBS is granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective August 6, 1996.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis of the right knee are both granted service connection as they are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with chronic diarrhea warrants a 30 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7319. The left ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea versicolor, finding that the veteran's current skin rash is related to his service. The other claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disability, shortness of breath, fatigue, and memory loss are denied as not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, dysphagia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The initial 10% disability evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The claim for a psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the new evidence did not establish service connection. Claims for lung, low back, hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and carbon tetrachloride exposure were also denied.

The Board found that the appellant's migraine headaches, which averaged about once a month, did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for irritable bowel syndrome was addressed but is addressed in the remand portion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a rash and sinusitis, as well as his requests for higher evaluations for left and right elbow disabilities and hearing loss disability in the left ear. The appeal was dismissed due to an inadequate substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking his diagnosed conditions to his active duty service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for short term memory loss, a GI disorder including gastritis with esophageal reflux and irritable bowel syndrome, and various joint pains have been denied. The Board found that the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the cause of death was not caused by or contributed to by any service-connected condition, including presumptively related conditions due to radiation exposure. The veteran's prostate cancer and hypertension were not service-connected, nor could they be presumed as such. DIC benefits under section 1318 were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and cataracts and glaucoma, attributing the latter to nasopharyngeal irradiation in service. The claim for increased evaluation of myositis of the right shoulder is pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an eye condition, heart disorder, GERD, hypertension, recurrent headaches, and intestinal disorder are not well-grounded. The Board denied these claims as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury that could be linked to current disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as untimely, and thus does not have jurisdiction to consider the decision.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for anxiety neurosis effective January 16, 1998 and denied entitlement to an increased rating prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus with irritable bowel syndrome, effective from February 7, 1997. The veteran's claims for bilateral foot disorder and low back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability, bilateral ankle disorder, and persistent diarrhea are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a current disability in any of these conditions as defined by VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings or service connection based on exposure to asbestos or other hazards.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence, including VA in/outpatient health records dated through April 2000. The appellant and his representative will be provided a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of irritable bowel syndrome or bronchial asthma, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The veteran's respiratory symptoms are also not supported by evidence.