IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and a need for further medical opinions regarding service connection.

The veteran's PTSD results in unemployability and warrants a 100% rating. Service connection for IBS is not addressed as the appeal is about PTSD.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the veteran's stomach disorders, including ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and/or GERD. The examiner should provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to her service-connected depression and/or back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, as it began during his military service. The gastrointestinal issues are also found to be related to service due to medication use for other service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU, finding that VA had properly assigned the August 25, 1999 effective date based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a head injury, including cognitive disorders and memory dysfunction, are service-connected. The mental disorder to include PTSD is not service-connected. Asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux disease, hypertension, and fibromyalgia are also not service-connected as secondary to any service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is rated at 100 percent effective September 24, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for a testicular disorder and increased ratings for right knee, costochondritis, GERD, and IBS. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current stomach disorders, including GERD, IBS with constipation, and diverticulosis, are related to his period of active duty service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for irritable bowel syndrome and PTSD have been granted, with the PTSD receiving a maximum rating of 70 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and assigned a 10 percent rating effective from August 12, 1997. The veteran's appeal is now closed as the issue on appeal was placed in appellate status by a notice of disagreement expressing dissatisfaction with an original rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and for additional development of the claims.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for the service-connected gastrointestinal disability, effective from May 30, 1990. The left thigh scar and left peroneal nerve injury are both rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 14, 1995 for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The appeals for increased ratings were also denied.

The veteran's RH insurance claim is being held in abeyance due to pending issues of reopening service connection claims for a functional heart murmur, a psychiatric disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome. The case will be remanded once these issues are resolved.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, photophobia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to additional development being required. The veteran's service records do not provide sufficient information on these conditions' etiology.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a subphrenic abscess with resection of the left 10th and 11th ribs is being remanded due to ambiguity in the medical evidence regarding whether the ribs were removed or resected, and the need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA medical records and ensuring all notification and development action required by the VCAA are fully complied with.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. Mitchell and scheduling a VA examination.