IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted it, with a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of regulatory revisions.

The June 1953 rating decision that granted service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the chest, with fracture compound comminuted of the sixth and seventh ribs, left, and assigned a 20 percent evaluation is found to have constituted clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of perforated diverticulitis and entitlement to a temporary total rating based on hospitalization from May 6, 1991, to November 29, 1991. The decision found that the veteran does not have current residuals of perforated diverticulitis.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate notice of the information and evidence necessary to substantiate his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's digestive system disorder, which includes cholecystectomy and irritable bowel syndrome, warrants a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent. No other issues have been resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as secondary to PTSD and an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD, finding that the veteran's PTSD aggravated his irritable bowel syndrome.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and distinguish it from any other identified gastrointestinal conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and a compensable evaluation for hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to receipt of new evidence after a Statement of the Case was issued.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is presumed to have been incurred in service due to herbicide exposure. The effective date for PTSD service connection was granted retroactively to February 22, 2002, and the initial disability evaluation for PTSD was increased to 50 percent from May 31, 2003.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to service, including his claimed lumbosacral strain, irritable bowel syndrome, dorsal spine disorder, and psychiatric disorder. The claim for PTSD was also denied due to lack of verified stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for further examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. The skin disorder is linked to exposure to Agent Orange, while the irritable bowel syndrome is found to be aggravated by the veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's hypertension, which was first diagnosed within the first year after separation from service and under presumptive service connection criteria, is granted. For his irritable bowel syndrome, a noncompensable rating is maintained as it does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of an injury to the ribs and a bilateral knee disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease and irritable bowel syndrome with hookworm disease have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and development due to incomplete medical records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a comprehensive examination of her service-connected disorders and consideration of all applicable criteria.