IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 has been denied because his service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that they preclude him from performing the duties of his current occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is a result of disease incurred in service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for timeliness is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, visual complications of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, residuals of fractured ribs, and aneurysm of the chin with blood clots. The Board found that these conditions were not related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection and pension benefits. The veteran will be provided with another opportunity to submit evidence, and VA examinations will be scheduled to assess his disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for acid reflux, heart disability (including coronary artery disease), hypertension, and IBS as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional VCAA notice and development, including consideration of whether a separate compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7332 is warranted.

The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and thus denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, residuals of a recurrent ganglion cyst of the left wrist, and a respiratory disorder manifested by shortness of breath.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which he claims developed from witnessing a friend's death in basic training and an assault during his time in Germany. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the claim.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome/hiatal hernia was granted service connection and rated at 10 percent since June 2, 1995. As of April 14, 2002, the disability was re-evaluated to a maximum rating of 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected biliary dyskinesia status post cholecystectomy was evaluated at 10 percent from August 21, 1995 to May 4, 1997. The next higher rating of 30 percent was denied for the period from May 5, 1997 to March 5, 1998. For the period on and after May 1, 1998, a rating in excess of 10 percent was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastro-intestinal disorder (irritable bowel syndrome), and headaches as secondary to the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted a 20% evaluation effective September 23, 2002. The left heel spurs and GERD with IBS were both granted initial evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link between his military service and these conditions.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been manifested by moderate symptoms, including outbreaks of chronic diarrhea lasting several days with daily cramping and episodes of alternative diarrhea and constipation. The RO granted a 10 percent disability rating for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition, PTSD, and irritable bowel syndrome were denied. His claim for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that there is no connection between the veteran's current lumbar spine and irritable bowel syndrome conditions and his period of active duty service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no further action can be taken on the claims.