IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to provide for his own daily self-care or protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral subcutaneous mastectomies (partly due to service-connected fibrocystic breast disease), tinnitus, migraine headaches, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome are all granted. The residuals of her left foot bunionectomy and ostectomy with bilateral hallux valgus are also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left thumb disability, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder. The initial noncompensable evaluations assigned following grants of service connection were also denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a genitourinary disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression. The claim for PTSD was denied as there were no verified in-service stressors.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia with chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and other service-connected conditions were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that warranted a higher rating.

The veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection for IBS and bipolar disorder, but the RO found no evidence of claims prior to the date of receipt of their respective applications.,For low back disability, the veteran sought an increased rating from 40% to 60%, which was granted on December 14, 1994. He now seeks an earlier effective date.

The veteran's initial evaluation for IBS, manifested as Crohn's disease, was granted but the rating assigned is 10 percent. The Board has determined that this decision should be reconsidered.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including upper gastrointestinal bulb disorder, chronic prostatitis, bladder injury residuals, flat feet, hypertension, rupture and strain of the left testicle, circulatory disorder of the legs and feet, muscle strain and cartilage injury of the stomach, heart and chest, hiatal hernia, left leg and groin disability, and broken ribs. The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 31, 1991 for a 70 percent evaluation for generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD and a 30 percent evaluation for gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome with history of duodenal ulcer have been denied. The grant of TDIU and DEA eligibility was also granted effective January 31, 1991.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastritis did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals regarding service connection for arthritis of the back due to service-connected residuals of fractures of the left 4th through 8th ribs and an increased rating for service-connected residuals of left pneumothorax with restrictive lung disease, as he did not file timely substantive appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected gastrointestinal and gynecological disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The veteran's increased rating claim for GERD was denied, and the secondary service connection claim for a chronic lung disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury and rib injury, finding that it was not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for residuals of a right thumb injury and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. The veteran's right thumb disorder was rated at 10% since January 5, 1998, due to pain, osteoarthritis, and functional impairment. IBS is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and an ear disability manifested by chronic ear infections. The veteran was not granted a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee disorder or IBS.

The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen claims for PTSD and Priapism. The reduction of irritable bowel syndrome rating from 10% to noncompensable was not proper.

The Board finds that the veteran's undiagnosed illness manifested by diarrhea, dizziness and disequilibrium, headaches, and muscle and joint pain had its onset in service during his Gulf War deployment. Service connection is granted for these symptoms.